OHA’s hand hygiene program is nationally recognized for improving health outcomes. The program aims to boost compliance rates by evaluating hospital staff, offering immediate improvement suggestions, policy redesigns and enhanced education and training. Over 265,000 observations were completed by OHA hand hygiene observers in 2025.

Participating hospitals set an individual compliance goal based on internal priorities and metrics. Caregivers, including physicians, nurses, techs, nutrition services and others, are observed entering and exiting patient rooms. Real-time observations are recorded in an app OHA developed specifically for this quality-improvement initiative.

Data is aggregated quickly and and allows hospitals to compare their rates with other participating hospitals. Individual hospital units or floors receive same-day feedback for swift intervention implementation.

Observers

Our program has a network of contracted observers, including retired nurses, health care workers and nursing students. They are well-trained and participate in ongoing training efforts to ensure the best data collection processes are utilized.

Peer Collaboration

Clinical leaders have access to monthly comparator data and reports. We have opportunities to collaborate and share best practices among peers.