What role does hand hygiene play in preventing healthcare-associated infections?

Hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) because it minimizes the transfer of pathogens between healthcare providers, patients, and the environment. When healthcare workers engage in proper hand hygiene—such as washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs— they remove germs that can lead to infections. This is particularly critical in healthcare settings, where patients may have weakened immune systems and be more susceptible to infections.

Effective hand hygiene interrupts the chain of infection by reducing the microbial load on hands, thereby decreasing the likelihood of pathogen transfer during patient care activities like examinations, procedures, and contact with equipment and surfaces. This practice is essential in promoting patient safety and reducing the incidence of HAIs, which can lead to longer hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher morbidity and mortality rates.

While other factors, such as equipment sterilization and environmental cleaning, are also important in infection prevention, hand hygiene remains a cornerstone of effective infection control measures in healthcare settings, as it addresses the most immediate risk of pathogen transfer.