The use of passive visual stimuli to enhance compliance with handwashing in a perioperative setting

Background: To encourage handwashing, we analyzed the effect that a passive visual stimulus in the form of a picture of a set of eyes had on self-directed hand hygiene among health care staff.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-blind study using a repeated measure design. Four dispensers of alcohol foam located in positions identified as #1, #2, #3, and #4 were used to deliver a single uniform volume of alcohol foam in an automated fashion. Pictures of eyes were placed on dispensers #1 and #3 but not dispensers #2 and #4 for 1 time period. The visual stimulus was rotated with each study time period. At the end of each study period, the volumes dispensed were examined to determine if the visual stimulus had a statistically significant influence on the volume dispensed.

Results: There were a total of 6 time periods. The average volume dispensed in stations with eyes was 279 cc versus that in the stations without eyes, which was 246 cc, and this was a statistically significant difference (P = .009).

Conclusion: The correct visual stimuli may enhance compliance with hand hygiene in health care settings.