Background and Objectives:

To investigate whether or not it is possible to use a Sound Alert as a tool to improve Hand Hygiene (HH) compliance.

Material and methods:

This is a pilot study from an Internal Medicine Unit with 16 beds at a Private Hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Sound Alert is composed by a bell MP3 wireless with micro SD 128MB as its memory card.

Handwash compliance was indirectly measured by two indicators:

a) monthly volume of alcohol preparation for hands used (mL) for each patient-day; b) monthly volume of soap preparation for hands used (mL) for each patientday.

Results:

In the pilot study period, the monthly volume of alcohol preparation for hands increased to 26 mL per patient-day (r2 = 0.99; p<0.001). The monthly volume of liquid soap raised to 35 mL per patient-day (r2 = 0.07; p=0.67).

Conclusion:

This new tool proved to be a good option for hospitals with low financial resources.(AU)