Hand hygiene protects ourselves and those around us from illnesses caused by germs, viruses, and other contaminants. It’s a simple but effective way to reduce the spread of infection, both in healthcare settings and at work.
Writing out SMART goals is crucial in implementing a program for hand hygiene. It will be much easier to create a successful program that leads to improved hand hygiene practices at the workplace.
Here are 12 examples of SMART goals for hand hygiene that you can use as a starting point. Make sure to adjust them to fit in with the specific needs and challenges.
What is a SMART Goal?
The SMART system is vital for setting practical goals to enhance hand hygiene practices. This acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based.
Still puzzled? Let’s delve further into each aspect of SMART:
Specific
Vague objectives can lead to disarray, wasting resources and time. However, when you craft detailed goals, you better understand what needs to be done, thereby augmenting efficiency.
Recognize that this approach creates a straightforward plan that everyone involved in the project can follow, helping to unveil potential hurdles early in the process.
Measurable
Quantifying your hand hygiene goals is essential for success. Monitoring progress enables you to spot areas that require enhancement. Without this element, it’s arduous to determine if your initiatives are having an impact.
Attainable
While it’s tempting to aim high, you might fail to meet your targets without a solid plan and reasonable expectations.
Considering your current situation, you need to evaluate what’s genuinely achievable. Reflect on the resources at your disposal and the timeline within which you intend to accomplish success.
That’s not to say you should shy away from ambitious targets. The trick lies in striking a balance between aspiration and feasibility.
Relevant
By setting goals that resonate with your personal beliefs, you’ll feel more motivated to enhance hand hygiene practices. Your core values will serve as a compass, helping you navigate challenges and stay on course.
Time-Based
Establishing a timeline allows you to adhere to your schedule and focus on your milestones. Since improvements in hand hygiene practices can’t be realized instantaneously, having a deadline encourages commitment.
12 SMART Goals Examples for Hand Hygiene
1. Increase Handwashing Compliance
“I’ll increase handwashing compliance rates by implementing a system to track and monitor employee handwashing within four months. I will train all employees on proper technique and provide designated times during the work day.”
Specific: You have precise tactics available: implement a tracking system and train employees.
Measurable: You can evaluate compliance rates with the given system regularly.
Attainable: Assuming you provide the necessary support and training, this goal is feasible.
Relevant: The SMART statement directly impacts hand hygiene in the workplace.
Time-based: You should expect to see results by the end of four months.
2. Improve Availability of Sanitization Supplies
“Within two months, I want to improve the availability of sanitization supplies in my workplace. I’ll do this by researching the best places to purchase supplies, ordering them, and ensuring they are readily available in all office areas.”
Specific: Seek to improve the availability of sanitization supplies in the workplace.
Measurable: Ensure you have researched the best places to purchase supplies, ordered them, and made them available.
Attainable: You’re taking proactive steps to ensure sanitization supplies are available throughout the workplace.
Relevant: This is appropriate as it increases access to critical hygiene products.
Time-based: The statement is time-bound, with a two-month deadline.
3. Foster a Cleaner Workplace Environment
“I will take the initiative to promote workplace hygiene and encourage colleagues to be mindful of their hand hygiene for three months. I know that hand hygiene can be improved by reminding colleagues and consistently washing hands with soap and water.”
Specific: This explicitly outlines what to do (promoting workplace hygiene) and how (by reminding colleagues and washing hands).
Measurable: You can measure the number of times you’ve reminded colleagues about proper hand hygiene or check the frequency of work-related illnesses.
Attainable: Promoting hygiene and encouraging others to be mindful of their hand hygiene are achievable.
Relevant: Good hand hygiene is critical to keeping the workplace clean and healthy.
Time-based: Goal completion should take at most three months.
4. Utilize Touch-Free Dispensers Where Possible
“I will install automatic hand sanitizer dispensers in all facility areas to encourage frequent and thorough hand hygiene. By the end of this year, I want to ensure that 95% of the employees utilize these touch-free dispensers.”
Specific: The goal states what is being done and when it needs to be completed.
Measurable: Measure the percentage of employees using the touch-free dispensers.
Attainable: It is plausible to install automatic hand sanitizer dispensers in all facility areas within a year.
Relevant: This is related to fostering hand hygiene practices in the facility.
Time-based: There is a timeline of one year for reaching success.
5. Promote Cultural Norms Around Hand Hygiene
“I’ll create a hand hygiene training program for all staff members emphasizing the importance of washing one’s hands within 5 months. This education program should cover topics like how to wash your hands and the consequences of poor hand hygiene.”
Specific: You’ve outlined a detailed plan to create and implement a hand hygiene training program.
Measurable: Evaluate progress by checking off the boxes after completing each step in the plan.
Attainable: Implementing a training program in 5 months should be feasible.
Relevant: Promoting cultural norms around hand hygiene is vital to ensure everyone handles germs and contamination safely.
Time-based: Completion of this SMART goal is anticipated within 5 months.
6. Create Signs to Encourage Handwashing
“I will create visually pleasing signs around the workplace to educate and remind employees of the importance of hand hygiene by the end of two months.”
Specific: The goal is well-defined, detailing precisely what must be done.
Measurable: The company can measure whether the signs affect employee hand hygiene practices.
Attainable: This goal can be attained by finding a graphic designer to create the signs and with the help of other staff members.
Relevant: Visual reminders can be effective in getting people to practice proper hand hygiene.
Time-based: There is a two-month window for accomplishing this statement.
7. Provide Education for New Employees
“We will create an employee handbook for new hires on proper hand hygiene techniques in two months. All attendees must complete a quiz with a score of at least 80% to demonstrate their knowledge of the topics discussed in the session.”
Specific: Creating the handbook and scheduling regular training sessions are concrete actions that can be taken.
Measurable: You can measure how well new attendees understand the information in the handbook through a short quiz.
Attainable: This is a reasonable goal if you allow enough time to complete the tasks.
Relevant: New employees need to understand the importance of proper hand hygiene.
Time-based: Two months are required to attain this particular goal.
8. Reinforce Hand Hygiene Policies
“Our hospital will reinforce hand hygiene policies by providing healthcare staff with ongoing training and updating our written policy to include all applicable guidance from the World Health Organization. The updated policy must be in place within two months.”
Specific: The overall aim is to update the written policy after two months.
Measurable: Track the completion of training and updates to the written policy.
Attainable: Two months is a reasonable time to provide training and update the policy.
Relevant: Reinforcing hand hygiene policies is critical for hospital safety, making this suitable for healthcare staff.
Time-based: Success must be accomplished over the two months ahead.
9. Partner With Public Health Organizations
“In 6 months, I will partner with public health organizations to promote hand hygiene within my healthcare facility. I’ll reach out and conduct seminars on the importance of proper hand hygiene while providing free resources like informational pamphlets and posters.”
Specific: This outlines what you plan to do, who you partner with, and what resources you would provide.
Measurable: Look at the number of people who attended the seminars and received informational pamphlets or posters.
Attainable: You should know that it’s realistic to partner with public health organizations within 6 months.
Relevant: This ties in directly with your aim to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.
Time-based: You have a completion date set over 6 months.
10. Minimize the Cost of Sanitization Equipment
“I want to minimize the cost of our hand sanitation equipment within three months. I’ll do this by researching and comparing prices for different brands of sanitization supplies, as well as looking into alternative sanitization methods such as UV light or ozone sterilizers.”
Specific: This SMART goal aims to reduce the cost of hand sanitation equipment.
Measurable: Cost will be tracked by researching and comparing prices for different brands of sanitization supplies and looking into alternative sanitization methods.
Attainable: This is a plausible goal because it involves actively researching and comparing prices, which can lower costs significantly.
Relevant: The statement applies to hand hygiene because it seeks to reduce the cost of supplies, which can make hand sanitization more accessible.
Time-based: You have a three-month timeline, giving it clear parameters.
11. Educate Employees on Hand Hygiene Benefits
“By the end of next quarter, I will educate all employees on the importance of hand hygiene. That includes providing written materials, conducting seminars, and creating short videos demonstrating proper handwashing techniques.”
Specific: You know what you must do—provide employees with the materials, seminars, and videos.
Measurable: You could determine how many employees have received the necessary information.
Attainable: It’s definitely possible to reach all of your company’s employees within a quarter.
Relevant: You’re giving employees the information they need to practice proper hand hygiene.
Time-based: You should expect goal attainment within the following quarter.
12. Introduce Automated Handwashing Stations
“We will install automatic handwashing stations in all public facilities of our organization within the next 8 months. That way, staff and visitors can easily access and use hand hygiene measures.”
Specific: This explains what needs to be done (install automated stations) and how long it will take (8 months).
Measurable: Assessing the number of installed stations is a measure of whether or not the goal has been achieved.
Attainable: As long as the budget and resources are available, installing automated handwashing stations is possible.
Relevant: These stations will ensure everyone in your organization can access hygiene measures easily.
Time-based: Achievement of this goal statement will be met in 8 months.
Final Thoughts
The above examples illustrate how SMART goals can be used to create strategies for improving hand hygiene. As long as each goal follows the 5 criteria, it can have a lasting impact on public health initiatives.
Ultimately, everyone benefits from improved hand hygiene practices. It’s essential to focus on creating achievable goals that will guide the process of enhancing hygiene efficiently.
Collaborating with public health organizations is also an excellent idea, as they can provide valuable insights that can help move initiatives forward. By working together, we can create a healthier environment for all.
