Feedback loops! Feedback loops! Feedback loo...

Feedback loop photo from wired.com

Several years ago (yikes!) Dan blogged about 'closing the loop' by providing real time reminders to doctors that their hands are contaminated.  To paraphrase his money quote: "So I think several varieties of feedback will do..It is essential, though, that such feedback be provided as close to the point of care as possible."

There is a very interesting piece in last months Wired that discusses the success of just the type of feedback loops that Dan suggested.  The initial example they give of a successful feedback loop is those real-time dynamic speed displays, or driver feedback signs, that have a speed limit posting coupled with a huge sign announcing “Your Speed.” In this example, speeds fell 14% and were below the speed limit!  I guess you can change behavior.

Could we incorporate such feedback, "as close to the point of care as possible" as Dan suggested, and improve hand hygiene compliance by 14%? Anyway, a very interesting article and they even included a podcast/mp3 that is a good listen.

Source: Thomas Goetz "Harnessing the Power of Feedback Loops" Wired June 2011