A Simple Behavior, Dramatic Outcomes: Healthcare-Acquired Infections in the US

A representative from the “Not on My Watch Prevention Campaign” contacted me and asked me to look at their organization's media release related to healthcare-acquired infections (HAI). I am not affiliated with Kimberly-Clark, nor do I have any interests in their company, but it is great to see that there is a business case for quality.

Their media release summarizes some of the CDC's statistical reports related to HAI. In 2002, they estimate that almost 100,000 Americans died of healthcare-associated infections. The most striking finding in one of the CDC reports is that a basic and simple human behavior is likely the largest contributing factor—many providers find themselves too busy to wash their hands.

Many cultural patterns are complex, but hand washing is fairly simple. We know that healthcare providers are busy, and numerous factors make their lives chaotic, but it seems like it is time to slow down and do the simple task hand washing.