How hand hygiene compliance in ASCs is affected by workplace culture

According to recent research on the topic, workplace culture among healthcare workers has much to do with hand hygiene and how much workers comply with hand hygiene guidelines. Factors such as attitudes among supervisors and employees affect the degree at which workers follow protocols and best practices.

Such compliance has generally been measured via observation, intervention, and self-reporting. While noncompliance can be a result of individual choices, it may also be attributed to the work environment itself.

Researchers have found that hand hygiene compliance is influenced by workers' perceptions of the work setting, as well as by motivational factors such as self-protection and peer influence. Other workplace influences include educational resources and support, the availability of data related to expectation, and a strong emphasis placed on the safety of patients.

The Work Setting and Motivational Influences

Four motivational influences in the workplace could be the most prominent. Self-protection is a major motivator in regard to hand hygiene compliance. A healthcare worker treating a patient who has a pathogen or contagious disease is likely to follow guidelines relatively closely. The same may be true of a worker who handles bodily fluids.

Another workplace motivator is social influence. Peers may affect each other on a fundamental level, in terms of proper hand hygiene practice and standardized infection control. Additionally, students and junior staff members are affected by the cues of senior staff members.

Environmental cues also play a part in the overall hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers. A visual cue, such as the presence of a hand sanitizer dispenser, may prompt a worker to exercise proper cleansing habits. However, the degree to which such cues may affect compliance can vary.

Patient care is another aspect of compliance worth noting. Hand hygiene habits may vary according to the nature of patient care activities. Staff members may be apt to exhibit appropriate hand hygiene habits when they are giving care that is not urgent. The same might not be said of workers in emergency care situations. Many workers may not take the time to comply with protocol when they are engaged in critical care.

Other factors can also affect workplace perceptions and habits regarding hand hygiene. When compliance information is made available to workers, they may be more likely to follow established guidelines. When workers are audited and provided with feedback, they may also be motivated to comply with the information they are given.

Electronic monitoring of compliance seems to be another effective strategy. When healthcare workers possess the knowledge they need to perform proper hygiene habits, they are typically more likely to comply with protocol. Workers have not been educated in proper hygiene may be confused about best practices, and they consequently are not able to implement them.

Workplace resources also have an effect on the degree to which guidelines are followed. When a facility is understaffed, workers may not have the motivation or opportunity to follow hand hygiene requirements. If a facility does not supply workers with enough hand hygiene products, they will be less likely to make an effort to exhibit appropriate hand hygiene habits on the job.


Organizational culture is one of the key factors in hand hygiene implementation. A supportive workplace culture seems to encourage hand hygiene guideline compliance. Conversely, healthcare workers who do not work in a supportive environment may ultimately lack the motivation to comply with protocol.

Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance Overall

Hand hygiene is a critical aspect of the healthcare environment overall. Patients and workers must be protected from improper hand hygiene practices whenever possible. In order to improve the level of compliance, healthcare facilities must take every measure that they can to create a workplace culture of strong hand hygiene compliance.

This article about ASC best practices was provided by Sports and Spine Orthopaedics, a fully staffed ASC and sports medicine facility in Los Angeles with board certified surgeons. They have been providing minimally invasive surgery procedures in the Los Angeles area and can be found on twitter and facebook.

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