Effectiveness of hand hygiene protocols in reducing nosocomial infections: a hospital-based study

Background: Hand hygiene is a fundamental measure in preventing nosocomial infections; however, compliance with recommended protocols varies, and the effectiveness of different hand hygiene methods remains a topic of ongoing research. This study evaluates the impact of two distinct hand hygiene protocols – standard handwashing with soap and water versus alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) combined with structured training -on bacterial contamination levels among healthcare workers. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 60 healthcare workers, divided into a Control Group (CG, n=30) and an Experimental Group (EG, n=30). Bacterial contamination was assessed through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts before and after hand hygiene procedures. The CG followed routine handwashing, while the EG used ABHR and received structured hand hygiene training. Bacterial reduction was analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Results: The CG demonstrated a 50.4% reduction in CFU counts after handwashing, but 20% of participants retained contamination levels above 100 CFU. In contrast, the EG achieved a significantly greater 85.9% reduction in bacterial load, with 26.7% of participants achieving complete bacterial elimination (p<0.001). The absolute mean CFU reduction in the EG (144.5±21.3 CFU) was significantly higher than in the CG (83.5±18.6 CFU). Conclusion: The findings confirm that ABHR combined with structured training is significantly more effective in reducing bacterial contamination compared to traditional handwashing. These results align with existing literature supporting the prioritization of ABHR in hospital settings. The study underscores the necessity of ongoing training and compliance monitoring to enhance hand hygiene effectiveness and minimize healthcare-associated infections.