Video Surveillance Audit of Hand-washing Practices in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE To audit hand-washing practices by video-surveillance. METHODS Six main steps (step 2 to step 7) of World Health Organizations hand hygiene technique with soap and water were used for evaluation. Handwashing was categorized as excellent, acceptable and unacceptable. RESULTS Of 1081 recordings, 403 (37.3%) were excellent, 521 (48.2%) were acceptable and 157 (14.5%) were unacceptable handwash. Unacceptable handwashing was more prevalent in the night in comparison to daytime (17.5% vs 12.5%). Thirteen people washed their face after washing their hands. CONCLUSIONS Innovative interventions are required to improve handwashing during night shifts.