Total Worker Health Among Healthcare Workers: The Advancement of A Mindful Hand Hygiene (MHH) Protocol to Protect and Promote Wellbeing and Safety

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative human factors study pertaining to the specification of a new mindful hand hygiene (MHH) protocol to support safe donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff wellbeing. Wellness is a protective factor for safe performance. Further, safe PPE practice starts with being prepared. A new MHH protocol for use as part of PPE donning and doffing is proposed. Further, provisional recommendations for the design of new PPE training checklists, incorporating preparedness, mindfulness, and information about potential risks are proposed. Safe practice is contingent on addressing both the individual and organisational factors which contribute to both staff wellbeing, and PPE practice errors. Healthcare organizations need to look at how health protection and promotion might be properly integrated, to support health care worker health and safety, along with patient safety.