Hear what others are saying about ISOLATION SIGNs
Hospital acquired infections are of epidemic proportion. As an Infection Preventionist, I conduct surveillance of infections and ongoing monitoring of hand hygiene and isolation protocol compliance. Striving to prevent infections is our overall goal.
At our institution, we recently conducted a trial of a new type of isolation sign. The purpose of the sign was to increase awareness and serve as a reminder to those entering isolation rooms. The primary goal was to increase compliance with gowning and gloving, and eventually work toward decreasing hospital acquired infections.
In October 2013, we placed 10 isolation signs in the door threshold of isolation rooms. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Compliance with isolation protocol with hospital staff was reportedly higher, and staff shared stories of family members increasing their compliance as well. After only a few days staff from other rooms (not having signs) were inquiring when their signs would be coming. The feedback was verified by anonymous surveys collected from anyone that entered patients' rooms.
On a routine inspection I observed a healthcare worker hurriedly walking toward the entrance of a room,--look down stopping in his tracks--perform hand hygiene and then gown and glove up. Initially the obvious goal was to increase gowning and gloving, and now the secondary benefit was observing hand hygiene compliance!
Since our initial trial, we have now implemented signs in all isolation rooms, and plan on purchasing more to ensure 100% of rooms are provided with signs.
A problem solving process success story... The beauty of this innovative idea is that it came from a staff nurse that identified a problem, and then took action to do something about it. Hospital leadership embraced the idea and has supported this endeavor, to become a reality.
Kimberly RN BSN
Infection Preventionist
I wish you much success with the isolation sign project; this is one of the best and most innovative ideas I have heard of in my career. Once we get approval for our health system to purchase the signs, that should be a great starting point. The idea is brilliant and I think any hospital in the United States would have an interest.
Debbie
PhD., MSN, RN, NEA-BC
I am a Clinical Nursing Manager . At our institution, we recently conducted a trial of a new type of isolation sign. The purpose of the sign was to increase awareness and serve as a reminder to those entering isolation rooms. The primary goal was to increase compliance with gowning and gloving, and eventually work toward decreasing hospital acquired infections.
In October 2013, we placed 10 isolation signs in the door threshold of isolation rooms. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Compliance with isolation protocol with hospital staff was reportedly higher, and staff shared stories of family members increasing their compliance as well. After only a few days staff from other rooms (not having signs) were inquiring when "their signs" would be coming. The feedback was verified by anonymous surveys collected from anyone that entered patients' rooms.
On a routine inspection I observed a healthcare worker hurriedly walking toward the entrance of a room,--look down stopping in their tracks--perform hand hygiene and then gown and glove up. Initially the obvious goal was to increase gowning and glowing, and now the secondary benefit was observing hand hygiene compliance!
Since our initial trial, we have now implemented signs in all isolation rooms, and plan on purchasing more to ensure 100% of rooms are provided with signs.
This idea was brought to fruition by one of our own floor nurses who recognized an area for improvement and worked to solve the problem.