The importance of continuous training and promoting awareness of hand hygiene is underscored by numerous studies. Even simple training sessions with follow-up significantly improve the hand hygiene of healthcare workers [4]. Innovative approaches such as virtual reality (VR) training are also increasingly being used: In a 2022 study, two-thirds of participants preferred VR training to traditional lectures, although both methods were equally effective at improving hand hygiene [5]. In operating rooms, the combination of WHO-based training and better access to hand hygiene products led to a measurable increase in hand hygiene for all five moments of hand hygiene, while simultaneously reducing glove consumption [6]. A five-year longitudinal study also demonstrated that regular repetition of training and feedback can not only maintain good hand hygiene but even further improve it—across all professional groups [7]. Another long-term study over seven years showed that continuous monitoring, feedback, and corrective actions (according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle) steadily improve HHC in the long term [8]. To identify improvement measures, another study conducted a survey in which particularly compliant physicians and nurses cited personal goals (e.g., patient and self-protection), habit formation, and comprehensive training as key drivers for high HHC [9].
All these examples illustrate that hand hygiene can only be optimized in the long term through systematic, recurring measures. To support your ongoing training, we offer a comprehensive training and continuing education program on proper hand hygiene. You can find out more about this and other training topics on our knowledge platform, the HARTMANN ACADEMY.
