A hospital implemented a program requiring doctors to wash their hands in front of patients before examinations. Hand hygiene compliance increased from 40% to 95%, and hospital-acquired infections dropped by 45%. Previous initiatives using posters and reminder emails had shown minimal improvement.
The passage suggests that
doctors were previously unaware of hand hygiene importance
posters are the most effective way to change behavior
behavioral changes may be more effectively achieved through accountability than reminders
all hospital infections can be prevented through hand washing
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Washing in front of patients (accountability) worked better than reminders.
- Context clues: Posters and emails showed "minimal improvement"; patient visibility caused dramatic improvement.
- Meaning: Being observed by patients created accountability that reminders couldn't.
- Verify: 40% to 95% compliance shows accountability's power.
💡 Strategy: Compare what worked versus what didn't to infer the key difference.
Choice A is incorrect because awareness alone (posters) didn't change behavior. Choice B is incorrect because posters showed "minimal improvement." Choice D is incorrect because infections dropped by 45%, not 100%.