APIC commends researcher for hand hygiene study

Jorge Parada, MD, epidemiologist and medical director at Loyola University Health System, will be honored by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, or APIC, for contributions to infection prevention, according to a press release.

The Implementation Science Award is presented annually for studies that represent notable advances within the field. Parada was one of the researchers behind the chosen study, which addressed the prevention of health care-associated infections through improved hand hygiene.

“Building on principles and tools provided by the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare, Loyola developed a two-step [hand hygiene] quality initiative,” Parada said in the press release. “We piloted a trained cadre of anonymous observers called ‘Just in Time Coaches’ who were tasked to interact with staff on two medical wards and the intensive care unit.”

These coaches encouraged best practices and hand hygiene compliance, according to the release, and the pilot program was so successful that it was implemented in Loyola’s other hospital units.

“Both programs generated statistically significant increases in [hand hygiene] rates,” Parada said. “Medical institutions are challenged by [hand hygiene] and health care-associated infections, and this program documents a reasonable solution to reduce infection and increase the safety of patients and health care workers.”

The award will be presented at the APIC’s annual meeting, June 27-29 in Nashville, Tenn.