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O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
I D E A S T H A T W O R K
W
e've introduced an
element of fun
into our hand-
washing surveillance initia-
tives, and we've seen some
significant improvement as a
result. Every month, one
anonymous staff member is
assigned to be the hand-wash-
ing sheriff. The sheriff's job is
to keep one eye wide open for
hand-hygiene opportunities
and practices, and to write
down whether people are
doing all the things they're
supposed to be doing. Anyone
seen cutting corners is given a ticket (hand-washing instructions) and
a reminder.
Before we started, our compliance needed a boost, especially with
surgeons, who often failed to wash their hands after removing their
gloves. But no one — not even surgeons — can escape the long arm
(and clean hands) of the law. Thanks to our sheriffs, we've cleaned up
our act.
Christine Riedel, RN, BS, CASC
Park Ten Surgical Center
Houston, Texas
christine.riedel@fdnh.com
H A N D W A S H I N G S H E R I F F
The Ticket to Better Hand Hygiene
Blanca
Elder,
RN
z CAUGHT DIRTY-HANDED Surgeons and staff
members both need to come clean if they're caught.
