Increase adherence to a basic hygiene routine

A new measure of compliance with basic hygiene and dress codes in health and welfare shows continued increasing compliance in both municipalities and regions.

It is positive that compliance with basic hygiene routines and dress codes is increasing in municipalities and regions. Good compliance is one of the most basic requirements of being able to ensure good hygiene and reduce infection in health and care, he says Emma Plumber, Head of the Department of Healthcare and Medical in Swedish Municipalities and Regions (SKR).

Commitment

In the measurements, compliance with basic hygiene procedures was observed in four steps. The survey shows that 72.9 percent of employees in municipalities follow all four steps. That’s an increase of 3.6 percentage points since the additional fall survey and 7.4 percentage points since the last regular survey a year ago. In the regions, compliance with all hygiene measures is higher, at 86.3 percent, where there was a slight increase in the last year.

Dress code compliance is also measured in four different steps. In municipalities, 90 percent of employees follow all four steps, and in the provinces 95.6 percent comply.

Long term work is required

Most of the municipalities and regions covered by the survey improved their results. In health and municipal care, the largest increases in compliance occurred. The increased compliance in the municipalities over the past year has included close follow-ups, special hygiene representatives, close dialogue with all managers and good support from management. Throughout 2020, health and welfare personnel have received additional training.

Compliance has gradually improved in both municipalities and regions for many years, although we have seen particularly positive development in health and municipal care in the past year. But compliance needs to be better, as it requires systematic, long-term work in operations and continuous monitoring of results, says Emma Plumber.

Compliance with basic hygiene procedures and dress codes is measured nationally once a year, in addition to local and regional measurements taking place in municipalities and regions. In the fall of 2020, an additional national survey was conducted. Metrics are important tools for companies to be able to keep track of their business results and know what efforts need to be made.