Evaluating automatic hand hygiene monitoring systems: A scoping review

OBJECTIVES: To categorize the extant automatic hand hygiene monitoring systems (AHHMSs) and evaluate the capacity of each to provide information on compliance rates. STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: Three international databases, PubMed, CINAHL, and EBSCO (between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020), were searched according to predetermined inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Two authors screened studies for eligibility independently. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included. Three types of AHHMSs were identified: Type I provides information about the aggregate hand hygiene events (HHEs) only, while Type II adds aggregate hand hygiene opportunities (HHOs), and Type III presents both HHEs and HHOs for individuals. Results suggested that improving the accuracy of recording HHEs and/or HHOs was critical for improving the accuracy of the compliance, which could increase the acceptability of the monitoring system. In addition, the studies found that the implementation of AHHMSs, especially with prompt reminders or additional interventions, could improve the compliance significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The extant AHHMSs could be decomposed into components of 3Ps (product usage monitoring, position monitoring, and performance monitoring). By identifying devices and technology as well as the type of information provided for each component, our approach can aid healthcare facilities to choose a suitable AHHMS that meets their criteria.