Importance of Hand Hygiene

Importance of Hand Hygiene

Did you know?

Healthcare-associated infections are one of the most common problems in healthcare, affecting about 1 in 10 patients on average.

Hand hygiene is a simple yet powerful way to prevent infections—stopping up to 50% of avoidable infections during healthcare.

Simple tips include:

– Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

– Use alcohol-based hand rubs if water isn’t available.

– Don’t rely on gloves alone—clean hands before and after glove use.

– Wash hands before eating and after using the restroom.

– Poor hand hygiene leads to longer hospital stays, higher treatment costs, and avoidable deaths.

– Everyone has the right to safe care—stay informed and speak up for hand hygiene.

Clean hands save lives.

Source: WHO