"Take time. Save lives. Clean hands protect." A comparison of two hand hygiene health promotion posters

Michael Mackert; Allison Lazard; Sara Champlin; Ming-Ching Liang; Amanda Mabry; Stephanie Stroever; Marie Guadagno; Lynda Watkins

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.01.017

"Take time. Save lives. Clean hands protect." A comparison of two hand hygiene health promotion posters

Am J Infect Control. 2014 May;42(5):530-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.01.017.

Authors

Michael Mackert¹, Allison Lazard², Sara Champlin³, Ming-Ching Liang², Amanda Mabry², Stephanie Stroever⁴, Marie Guadagno², Lynda Watkins⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Advertising, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX; The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Advertising, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
³ Department of Advertising, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX; Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.
⁴ Prevention and Management Associates, Inc, Houston, TX.
⁵ University Medical Center Brackenridge, Seton Healthcare Family, Austin, TX.

PMID: 24773789
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.01.017

Abstract

Two posters were designed to encourage hospital staff hand hygiene. One focused on broad benefits of hand hygiene to patients and staff, and the other highlighted hand hygiene as a long-known measure to infection control. The former was better received in terms of attention, likability, and potential to promote hand hygiene. A third-person effect, the perception of stronger impact of communication messages on others, was observed. Implications on health promotion message design were discussed.

Keywords: Hand washing; Health campaign; Hospital.

MeSH terms

Attitude of Health Personnel*
Behavior Therapy / methods*
Hand Hygiene / methods*
Hand Hygiene / standards*
Health Personnel*
Health Promotion / methods*
Hospitals
Humans