Performance Improvement in Health Care

Full Answer Section

    I would write this policy for all types of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory care centers. Hand hygiene is important in all healthcare settings because it helps to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other germs from one person to another. The policy would include the following steps:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose of used tissues properly.

The policy would also include a list of exceptions to hand hygiene, such as when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with blood or other body fluids. I would communicate the policy to staff through a variety of methods, including:

• Posters and flyers
• In-service training
• One-on-one discussions

I would also make sure that the policy is available online and in staff handbooks. I believe that this policy is important because it could help to prevent the spread of infection and save lives. Hand hygiene is a simple intervention that can have a big impact on the safety of patients and staff. Here are some additional reasons why I would select this policy:

• Hand hygiene is a cost-effective intervention. The cost of soap and water is minimal, and alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also relatively inexpensive.
• Hand hygiene is a proven intervention. There is a large body of evidence that shows that hand hygiene can prevent the spread of infection.
• Hand hygiene is a simple intervention. It is easy to learn and remember how to wash your hands properly.

I believe that this policy would be well-received by staff. Most staff members are already aware of the importance of hand hygiene, and they would be happy to have a clear and concise policy to follow. I would also make sure to provide staff with the resources they need to implement the policy, such as soap and water, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and posters and flyers. I believe that this policy would be an important step in improving the safety of patients and staff in healthcare settings.

Sample Answer

  If I had the opportunity to develop any policy and procedure for a healthcare facility, I would write a policy on hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is one of the most important interventions to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare settings. It is estimated that hand hygiene could prevent up to 50% of healthcare-associated infections.