Overview Health-care associated infections are a threat to patient safety and the most common adverse events resulting from a stay in the hospital.1 Approximately 5 to 10% of hospitalized patients in the developed world acquire such infections, and the burden of disease is even higher in developing countries. Proper use of hand hygiene is a critical to the prevention of these infections, but compliance among health care workers is most often below 40%. Hand hygiene serves many purposes in the health care setting.1 It prevents both endogenous and exogenous infections in patients, contamination of the hospital environment with potential pathogens, and cross-transmission of microorganisms between patients. When used in conjunction with the appropriate protective equipment, it also protects health care workers from the hazards of occupational infections.
Summary Hand hygiene is a procedure that should be mastered by all health care workers. Hand hygiene is not optional — it is mandatory. It must be used conscientiously to decrease the occurrence of infections associated with health care and to increase patient safety. Proper use of hand hygiene is a sign of competency, professionalism, and respect.
所有的医疗保健工作者都应该熟悉并掌握手卫生的过程。它不应该是可有可无,而是应该强制性的。它必须认真执行,以降低卫生保健相关感染的发生和增加患者安全。正确运用手卫生是一种能力,敬业精神以及尊重的表现。