More hand washing seen with automated reminder. (Fewer Nosocomial Infections).

SAN DIEGO -- An automated voice message prompted health care workers in one surgical step-down intensive care unit to wash their hands more often.

This led to a fall in nosocomial infection rates, Sandra M. Swoboda, R.N., said at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

Electron beams at the threshold of each of the unit's nine rooms interacted with electronic sensors attached to all toilets, sinks, and soap dispensers. If someone entered a room and tried to leave without washing up, a computerized voice issued a loud reminder.

Investigators electronically monitored hand-washing rates for 6 months before activating the voice reminders and compared them with hygiene rates during 6 months of using the voice prompts and a 3-month follow-up period after turning off the voice reminder.

The study logged more than ...