Hand hygiene after the COVID-19 pandemic: Is it still at a high level?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hand hygiene (HH) is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), with compliance notably increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether this adherence can be sustained remains uncertain. We sought to assess changes in HH compliance following the pandemic and explore its correlation with HAIs.

Methods

A longitudinal study was launched to assess HH compliance and HAIs across two phases. Phase 1 spanned from October 2021 to January 2023, a period of normalized prevention and control of COVID-19, while phase 2 extended from February 2023 to July 2024, following the downgrade in the management of COVID-19. Observers recorded HH practices. HAIs were identified through using semi-automated, continuous surveillance software. Pearson correlation coeff

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448956 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature