According to reports from Detroit’s ABC affiliate, WXYZ, one in four Michigan hospitals aren’t enforcing proper handwashing guidelines. The findings were a result of a survey done by The Leapfrog Group, a hospital watchdog group.
The survey did reveal that urban hospitals were outperforming rural hospitals for handwashing compliance by about 20 percent. But, experts comment that there is no reason for this, since all hospitals should have access to soap and water.
The Leapfrog survey assesses hospitals on three key areas: how patients fare, resources used in caring for patients, and leadership and structures that promote patient safety. WXYZ reports that stats like those reviled above “puts everyone at risk, from patients to the health care workers. Hand washing is one of the easiest steps a hospital can take toward patient safety.”
To review hospitals in your area, click here for survey findings.