July 2022
BACKGROUND
Sheba Medical Center is a medical campus with 1,430 patient beds, which includes a long-term hospital, a children's hospital (Safra), and a rehabilitation hospital. It is the largest hospital in Israel and one of the top 10 medical centers globally. Due to the campus's size, it has struggled with hospital-associated infections for many years. While numerous interventions have been implemented to improve hand hygiene compliance and quality, it remains one of the main challenges that the infection prevention department continues to grapple with. When Sheba Medical Center considered a trial with SoapyPro hand hygiene systems, Dr. Eyal Zimelchman, Chief Transforma:on Officer, and Dr. Gili Regev Yochay, Head of Infection Prevention and Control Units, eagerly seized the opportunity to test Soapy's technology at the Children's BMT and Oncology Unit.
THE OPPORTUNITY
- Health-care-associated infections (HAIs) affect the quality of health-care services, jeopardizing patient safety and increasing health-care costs.
- Improvement in hand hygiene compliance has been highlighted as the most effective measure to reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in health care and lower the incidence of HAI’s in health-care settings
SoapyPro Mobile hand hygiene stations, combined with Soapy Wisdom—an electronic monitoring system (EMS)—were installed on July 1st, 2022, at every pa:ent room entrance. Each SoapyPro station was used for training, educa:on, and monitoring of hand hygiene behavior.
Furthermore, each SoapyPro Mobile station provided instant feedback on users' hand hygiene quality, measuring not only the duration but also specific gestures of the scrub and rub technique. Within less than 3 weeks, the average handwashing duratioon exceeded 15 seconds, while the rub and scrub technique indicated the proper execu:on of all steps according to WHO guidelines.
- 54% decrease in Healthcare-Associated Infections - Improved hand hygiene quality by 62.5%. - Improved hand rub duration by 58%. - Formation of self-governance culture of the medical staff
This education and instant feedback created an even greater effect as the department team continued to practice good hand hygiene outside of the Children's Oncology and BMT department, where Soapy wasn't installed yet. This indicated a shift in the behavior paterns of the medical staff.
Hand Scrub duration plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of infection. Individuals who spend less than 10 seconds lathering or scrubbing their hands are more prone to experiencing influenza-like illnesses compared to those who scrub or lather for longer period of time while
washing or sanitizing their hands.
KEY FINDINGS
1. REDUCTION IN HAIS - Over 1 year, there was a 54% decrease in HAIs, emphasizing the critical impact of improved hand hygiene protocols on patient safety and infection control.
2. ENHANCED HAND HYGIENE QUALITY - Hand hygiene quality improved by 62.5%, indicating that the SoapyPro Mobile systems not only promote adherence but also ensure proper techniques are used.
3. INCREASED COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING EFFICIENCY - Transitioning from a manual, paper-based system to the Soapy technology streamlined monitoring efforts, saving staff time and fostering a culture of accountability. Over 35,000 hand hygiene observations were made during the stady, providing robust data for continuous improvement.
4. STAFF ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION - The gamified and interactive features of the Soapy systems increased engagement among staff and visitors, positively influencing compliance rates and cultivating a culture of health and safety.
The findings from this study align closely with Leapfrog and Joint Comission Hospital Survey standards, which emphasize stringent hand hygiene practices as a core component of patient safety and quality care.
1. HAND HYGIENE ADHERENCE
- Leapfrog Requirement: Hospitals must demonstrate adherence to robust hand hygiene protocols with regular compliance monitoring.
- How This Study Helps: The SoapyPro Mobile system achieved a 62.5% improvement in hand hygiene quality and sustained high adherence rates, providing measurable outcomes that align with Leapfrog's expectations for compliance.
2. REAL-TIME MONITORING
- Leapfrog Requirement: Institutions must utilize electronic monitoring systems or equivalent
methods to track and document hand hygiene performance.
- How This Study Helps: The deployment of SoapyPro Mobile systems replaced manual audits with automated compliance tracking, saving staff time and ensuring data accuracy. This transition directly satisfies Leapfrog's call for advanced monitoring solutions.
3. EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES
- Leapfrog Requirement: Hospitals need to implement evidence-based strategies for infection prevention.
- How This Study Helps: The study demonstrates a 54% reduction in Hospital Associated Infections (HAIs), proving that the SoapyPro system is an effective intervention for lowering infection rates through improved hand hygiene. Such data can be presented as evidence during Leapfrog or Joint Comission evaluations.
4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Leapfrog Requirement: Staff must be trained on effective hand hygiene practices and continuously educated.
- How This Study Helps: The SoapyPro system integrates gamification and interactive features to engage staff in ongoing education, meeting Leapfrog's criteria for consistent and innovative staff training.
continue...
5. CULTURE OF SAFETY - Leapfrog Requirement: Hospitals must demonstrate a culture of accountability and safety regarding hand hygiene. - How This Study Helps: By fostering engagement through gamified features and providing transparent, actionable data, the SoapyPro system helps build a strong culture of accountability and continuous improvement, addressing Leapfrog's focus on patient safety culture. 6. DATA TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING - Leapfrog Requirement: Hospitals are required to report compliance metrics transparently. - How This Study Helps: The system generated over 35,000 hand hygiene observations annually with actionable insights, enabling institutions to meet Leapfrog’s reporting and transparency standards effectively.
The integration of SoapyPro systems at Sheba Medical Center has unequivocally demonstrated that combining education, gamification, and real-time monitoring can lead to substantial improvements in hand hygiene practices and decrease of Hospital Associated infections (HAIs).
This study provides a compelling case for healthcare facilities to consider adopting similar solutions and strategies as part of their infection control and prevention, and hand hygiene programs .
These findings set the stage for broader applications and further research into leveraging technology to combat Hospital Associated Infections (HAIs), improve patient safety, and enhance operational efficiencies in healthcare settings. The implementation of SoapyPro technology resulted in a 54% reduction in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), a 62% improvement in hand hygiene quality, and enhanced monitoring and compliance efficiency.
The SoapyPro Mobile technology provides healthcare organizations with the tools needed to comply with Leapfrog's rigorous hand hygiene standards. By improving adherence, streamlining monitoring, and delivering measurable reductions in infection rates, this technology positions hospitals to achieve Leapfrog recognition, improve patient outcomes, and enhance their safety and quality ratings.