World Hand Hygiene Day is taking place on 5 May, this year. With the topic high on the agenda, this month, Victor Adendorff explores the importance of hand hygiene and its challenges, and argues that to improve patient outcomes and the wellbeing of healthcare professionals, a step-change in hand hygiene strategy is required.
Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention, recognised as a simple yet powerful measure to reduce the transmission of infectious agents. The hands, being in constant contact with the environment, can serve as vehicles for the transfer of pathogens from surfaces to mucous membranes, leading to infections.
Scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of hand hygiene in reducing the incidence of infections. The use of soap and water, disinfectants or alcohol-based hand sanitisers disrupts the lipid envelope of many viruses and the cell walls of bacteria, rendering them inactive. Proper handwashing, following recommended techniques, ensures the removal of a significant proportion of pathogens. Additionally, the regular and thorough practice of hand hygiene contributes to the overall reduction of microbial load on hands, mitigating the risk of transmission.
Hand hygiene is a global public health imperative. Initiatives promoting hand hygiene awareness and compliance have a substantial impact on reducing the burden of infectious diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings. Simple, cost-effective interventions, such as providing access to clean water and soap, can significantly improve hand hygiene practices, leading to positive health outcomes on a large scale.
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