Breaking a Guinness World Record on Hand Sanitizing Relay, initiating a call for vital research in overcoming campaign fatigue for hand hygiene

Abstract

Hand hygiene has been shown to be effective in significantly reducing hospital acquired infections for many years. However it is difficult to maintain and enhance compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. In Hong Kong, we previously reported a strategy to counter campaign fatigue from 50%-55% in 2009-11 to 83% in 2012. Here we report a creative activity that we used to sustain and enhance hand hygiene compliance. In May 2014 we broke the first Guinness World Record for a Hand Sanitizing Relay. A total of 277 participants performed hand hygiene before two official and approved witnesses. Following this team-directed strategy, an increase in hand hygiene compliance was identified in June 2014 in two clinical areas with previously poor compliance. The longer term impact of this strategy remains to be determined. More broadly, further research is urgently needed on meeting the challenge of campaign fatigue, and maintaining and enhancing compliance with hand hygiene guidelines.

Guinness world record attempt as a method to pivot the role of Yoga in Diabetes management

“…The result of the study was consistent with the previous study in which increased awareness among participants was noticed after the world record attempt. In that particular study, the increase in hand hygiene compliance was identified after world record attempt [1]. Similarly, in our study, we found an increased level of awareness among participants about the role of Yoga in Diabetes management which is indicated by the fact that 96% participants acknowledged Yoga as a means of Diabetes management.…”

“…Therefore, attempts to break world record on International Day of Yoga by organising the Diabetes awareness lesson is a unique method of academic social responsibility. In this present campaign a total of 498 individuals participated which is significantly higher than the previous Guinness record attempt on hand hygiene in which total 227 individuals had participated [1]. The sex ratio of the participants was almost equal but a number of participants from A AN NN NA AL LS S RES ARTICLE the urban area were more when compared to rural which indicates the need for an awareness campaign in rural localities of the country.…”

“…Growing interest towards in setting world records has resulted in increased number of applications which Guinness book of world records receives every year across the world. To date, many new world records have been made and the previous ones have been surpassed [1] with a few attempts centered towards the promotion of public health. In 2014, new Guinness world record for largest hand hygiene campaign was made in which a total 277 participants performed hand hygiene before two officials and a few witnesses [1].…”

“…To date, many new world records have been made and the previous ones have been surpassed [1] with a few attempts centered towards the promotion of public health. In 2014, new Guinness world record for largest hand hygiene campaign was made in which a total 277 participants performed hand hygiene before two officials and a few witnesses [1]. Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle disorder rapidly growing in India [2] and recent studies on Yoga intervention have shown that Diabetes could be modified by practising Yoga [3].…”