Reduction of hospital-acquired infections using the Sani Nudge system

Sani Nudge^TM is a comprehensive system for preventing infectious disease transmission. The system is designed to empower healthcare professionals to reach compliance goals. In this paper, we show how implementation of the Sani Nudge^TM and the 4-step improvement tool has improved hand hygiene compliance by 200% and reduced hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) by up to 64%. In addition, we show the cost savings associated with improved hand hygiene and reduction in HAIs.

Lack of proper hand hygiene

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), including infections by multidrug-resistant organisms, constitute a global problem that requires immediate action. Hand hygiene performance according to recommendations is the most important method to reduce infections in healthcare settings. However, most hospitals struggle to improve hand hygiene performance.

4-step improvement tool

Sani Nudge^TM uses a 4-step improvement tool based on 3-years of tests in hospitals and feedback from healthcare workers. This extensive research has resulted in a multimodal approach using automated hand hygiene monitoring and performance feedback as well as healthcare worker education and reminders.

Using the 4-step improvement tool for one year, hospitals significantly improved hand hygiene performance by up to 200%, which was associated with a 64% reduction in clostridium difficile infections as well as a 29% reduction in urinary tract infections and bacteraemia, respectively (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Reduction of HAIs after implementing the 5-step improvement tool

Saving lives and money

HAIs continue to be one of the most common adverse events in health care delivery, affecting at least 7% of all patients [1-3]. Of these, 10.5% will die due to the acquired infection [4]. There is a difference in the occurrence and treatment costs of the investigated urinary tract infections, clostridium difficile and bacteraemia (Table 1) [5-8].

Based on the clinical results, installing the Sani Nudge system prevents 1706 infections, saving 179 lives and $4,25 millions annually when installing on an average-sized hospital (Table 2).

*200,000 admissions per year (600 bed hospital) **Total of urinary tract infections, clostridium difficile and bacteraemia. Based on a 64% reduction in clostridium difficile infections and a 29% reduction in urinary tract infections and bacteraemia, respectively.

Conclusion

Implementation of Sani Nudge^TM and the 5-step improvement tool results in significant improvements in hand hygiene performance, clinically relevant reductions in HAIs and lives saved as well as significant cost reductions for hospitals.

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