• Sunni R Busby, Bryan Kennedy, Stephanie C Davis, Heather A Thompson, and Jan W Jones.
• At AnMed Health in Anderson, S.C., Sunni R. Busby is nurse manager of the orthopedics unit, Bryan Kennedy is director of nursing in the medical-surgical division, and Heather A. Thompson is the acting nurse manager and Jan W. Jones is a staff nurse, both in the adult medical unit. Stephanie C. Davis is the graduate coordinator and an associate professor of nursing at Clemson University School of Nursing in Clemson, S.C.
• Nursing. 2015 May 1; 45 (5): 27-30.

BackgroundThe authors hypothesized that patients may not understand the forms of effective hand hygiene employed in the hospital environment.Literature ReviewMultiple studies demonstrate the importance of hand hygiene in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Extensive research about how to improve compliance has been conducted.MethodologyPatients' perceptions of proper hand hygiene were evaluated when caregivers used soap and water, waterless hand cleaner, or a combination of these.ResultsNo significant differences were observed, but many patients reported they did not notice whether their providers cleaned their hands.DiscussionEducating patients and their caregivers about the protection afforded by proper, consistent hand hygiene practices is important.Implications For Nursing PracticeEngaging patients to monitor healthcare workers may increase compliance, reduce the spread of infection, and lead to better overall patient outcomes.Implications For ResearchThis study revealed a need to investigate the effects of patient education on patient perceptions of hand hygiene.ConclusionResults of this study appear to indicate a need to focus on patient education and the differences between soap and water versus alcohol-based hand sanitizers as part of proper hand hygiene. Researchers could be asking: "Why have patients not been engaged as members of the healthcare team who have the most to lose?"

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