Design, In February 2003 Rowan Regional Medical Center (RRMC) deployed the Hand Hygiene Process Action Team. The Hand Hygiene PAT reviewed the literature for an existing hand hygiene survey; however, no tool was located. A thirteen-question survey was developed and distributed to all medical center personnel with a thirty-day deadline for return.

Objective, The survey targeted employees’ suggested areas for hand hygiene improvement as well as their current knowledge level of appropriate hand hygiene practice.

Population, The Hand Hygiene PAT distributed 1000 surveys to the medical center personnel. The returned surveys were categorized into three employee groups: Nursing (any employee in the Nursing Department), N=219, Physicians and Physician Extenders N=29, and Non-Nursing (anyone outside3 the Nursing i.e., Respiratory, Laboratory, Radiology, Case Management, Business Office etc. N= 168.

Concept or Variable Studied, Potential areas of improvement and current knowledge of hand hygiene practice were surveyed.

Findings, A total of 416 surveys were returned from employees. A Pareto Graph was used to exhibit rank ordering of importance of improvement areas. All subgroups consistently selected education on hand hygiene technique followed by compliance, available supplies and environmental cleanliness as areas of needed focus.

Conclusion, The Hand Hygiene PAT utilized the surveys to effectively target areas of improvement based on the employee’s perception and knowledge of the CDC’s guidelines for hand hygiene.

Implications, These findings provided a focal point for the PAT begin their project in the hand hygiene implementation.

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