EFFECTIVENESS OF HAND HYGIENE PROGRAMS IN HOSPITALS

Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention in healthcare settings, offering a simple yet powerful method to mitigate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These infections, caused by pathogens like Clostridium difficile and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), pose significant risks to patient safety and can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased morbidity, and even mortality. This study examines the effectiveness of hand hygiene programs in hospitals to prevent healthcare-associated infections, which are mainly spread through healthcare workers' hands. An online survey was conducted among hospital staff to assess their awareness and adherence to hand hygiene protocols, including their roles, experience, training, and barriers faced. The findings showed that while hand hygiene programs are effective, challenges like time constraints and forgetfulness remain. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing training and easy access to hygiene materials in healthcare environments. The study presented data through demographic and graphical analysis. The respondents were mostly nurses (76%), followed by smaller percentages of doctors (3%), medical technicians (3%), administrative staff (6%), radiographers (6%), and other healthcare roles. Most participants had over 10 years of experience. Among them, 87% believed that hand hygiene programs in the hospital were effective, citing familiarity and training. They also reported compliance with handwashing practices and observed their colleagues doing the same. However, 40% identified barriers such as lack of time and forgetfulness. Despite this, 93% understood the importance of the protocol and knew where to access hand hygiene materials. The researchers concluded that healthcare workers generally understand the importance of hand hygiene and perform handwashing regularly.