Hand Hygiene: A Scientific Guide for Patient Safety and Infection Control [Higiene de Manos: Guía científica para la seguridad del paciente y el control de infecciones]
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62574/4sybv313Keywords:
sanitation, hospitalización, nursing careAbstract
Objective: To develop evidence-based clinical guidelines on best practices for hand hygiene. Methodology: Systematic review of 58 scientific documents. Results: A set of effective guidelines for implementing hand hygiene programmes was established, promoting compliance and minimising the transmission of microorganisms in hospitals, with the aim of ensuring safer and higher quality care for patients. Conclusion: Hand hygiene plays a key role in preventing the transmission of infections caused by viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, both in hospitals and in the community. Its correct implementation, together with constant monitoring of biosafety measures, helps to significantly reduce the incidence of infections.
Downloads
References
Naranjo Y, Echemendía M, Rodríguez C, et al. A journey through the history of hand washing. AMC. 2020;24(5).
Salazar J, Pando R. Hand hygiene, a strategy so simple and effective but forgotten at the same time. Revista del Cuerpo Médico Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo. 2020;13(3):341–2.
Schmidtke K, Aujla N, Marshall T, et al. A crossover randomized controlled trial of priming interventions to increase hand hygiene at ward entrances. Front Public Health. 2022;9:1–11.
Pérez P, Herrera M, Bueno A, et al. Hand hygiene: Knowledge of professionals and areas for improvement. Cad Saude Publica. 2015;31(1):149–60.
Naranjo Y. A journey through the history of hand washing. Revista Archivo Médico de Camagüey. 2020;24(5).
Amaan A, Dey S, Zahan K. A neonatal intensive care unit. Revista Canadiense de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Médica. 2022;2022:1–7.
Herrera D. Adherence to hand hygiene in health workers. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol. 2021;306(2021):57.
Maciel J, Zamudio G, Rangel G, et al. Adherence to hand hygiene in 5 moments and specific protection in a third-level hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gac Med Mex. 2021;157(3):327–31.
Morales M. Digital intervention strategy based on constructivism for hand washing knowledge in nursing students. Revista Ciencia y Cuidado. 2021;18(3):54–63.
Miranda C, Navarrete T. Semmelweis and his scientific contribution to medicine: A hand wash saves lives. Revista Chilena de Infectologia. 2008;25(1):54–7.
Castañeda J, Hernández H. Washing (hygiene) with soap and water. Acta Pediatrica de Mexico. 2016;37(6):355–7.
Troconis J. Hand washing and care. Acta Odontol Venez. 2003;41(2):166–71.
Luangasanatip N, Hongsuwan M, Limmathurotsakul D, et al. Comparative efficacy of interventions to promote hand hygiene in hospitals: Systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ (Online). 2015;351:1–14.
Pantoja M. Recommendations for hand hygiene. Rev Med La Paz. 2010;16(2):63–8.
Lastra M. Procedure for Hand Washing. Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso Ministerio de salud pública. 2015;1–23.
Moya V, Burga A. Guide: Clinical and Surgical Hand Washing. Instituto Regional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas-Norte. 2018;25.
Sánchez Z, Hurtado G, Sánchez Z, et al. Hand washing. A safe alternative to prevent infections. MediSur. 2020;18(3):492–5.
Mena I. Current updates in surgical hand hygiene. Literature review. Enfermería Universitaria. 2020;17(1):95–103.
World Health Organization. Hand Hygiene Saves Lives. 2023.
Sánchez Z, Hurtado G. Hand washing. A safe alternative to prevent infections. MediSur. 2020;18(3):492–5.
Armas P, Cajas M, Rueda D. Comparison of microbiological evaluation before and after hand washing in health students in Ecuador. Revista InveCom. 2024;4(2).
Alharbi A, Alshammari B. The scientific basis and the critical importance of hand hygiene in fighting infection and preventing the transmission of diseases. International Journal of Religion. 2024;5(12):1781–8.
Duwal S, Budhathoki L, Dhaubanjar M, Rijal D, Acharya P. Hand hygiene practice compliance among healthcare workers in a tertiary healthcare hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. PLOS Global Public Health. 2024;4(8):e0003322.
Anandam S, Khelgi A. Evaluation of hand hygiene practices of healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals by systematic hand hygiene audits. Indian Journal of Microbiology Research. 2024;11(2):92–6.
Duwal S, Budhathoki L, Dhaubanjar M, Rijal D, Acharya P. Hand hygiene practice compliance among healthcare workers in a tertiary healthcare hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. PLOS Global Public Health. 2024;4(8):e0003322.
Priyadarshi K, Dhandapani S, Rajshekar D, Vinothini AB, Punnen SA, Sastry AS. Specialty-specific hand hygiene compliance: 5-year study from a large public sector teaching hospital, South India. Indian Journal of Microbiology Research. 2024;11(4):291–6.
Marinkovic M, Djordjevic M, Djordjevic V, Karanikolic V, Novak S, Perisic J. Reduction of hospital-acquired infections at surgical clinics by hand hygiene predictors. 2024.
Erdem M, Khamdamova M, Ozaslan M. Basic principles of infection control and implementation strategies. Eurasia Proceedings of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 2024;30:90–6.
Loftus M, Guitart C, Tartari E, et al. Hand hygiene in low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2019;86:25–30.
Hillier M. Using effective hand hygiene practice to prevent and control infection. Nurs Stand. 2020;35(5):45–50.
Blot S, Ruppé E, Harbarth S, et al. Healthcare-associated infections in adult intensive care unit patients: Changes in epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and contributions of new technologies. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2022;70.
Mena I. Current updates in surgical hand hygiene. Literature review. Enfermería Universitaria. 2020;17(1):95–103.
Loayza N. The importance of hand hygiene in healthcare personnel. Educación Médica. 2022;23(3):100739.
Vaz E, Silva F, Martins P, Moura I. Hand hygiene based on performance indicators. Rev Cubana Enferm. 2022;38(3).
Anandam S, Khelgi A. Evaluation of hand hygiene practices of healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals by systematic hand hygiene audits. Indian Journal of Microbiology Research. 2024;11(2):92–6.
Florianus M, Erlangga M, Akbar A. Knowledge and attitudes of nurses about nosocomial infections and hand hygiene behavior in X Hospital Yogyakarta. Deleted Journal. 2024;2(3):41–54.
Kiersnowska Z, Lemiech E, Michałkiewicz M, et al. Hand hygiene as the basic method of reducing Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in a hospital environment. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine. 2021;28(4):535–40.
Zeduri M, Sgueglia A, Vigezzi G, et al. Hospital hand hygiene after COVID-19: Has the pandemic heightened healthcare workers’ awareness? Eur J Public Health. 2022;32(Supplement_3).
Mouzou E, Assenouwe S, Amekoudi E, et al. Hand hygiene by ward staff at Dapaong Regional Hospital in Togo. Open J Nurs. 2023;13(02):95–112.
Ana C, Lima I, Carmona L, et al. The importance of hand washing in the hospital environment. Health and Society. 2023;3(04):552–69.
DeKraker C, Taboun Z. Hand hygiene compliance among the public and in Ontario hospitals. Univ West Ont Med J. 2022;90(1).
Nagai T, Taguchi K, Isobe T, et al. A multicenter, prospective, non-randomized study evaluating surgical hand preparation between double-gloving and single-gloving for preventing postoperative infection in robotic and laparoscopic minimally invasive surgeries. Urol J. 2023;20(2):109–15.
Akpokonyan T, Esan O, Ikem I, et al. Hand bacterial repopulation dynamics following two methods of surgical hand preparation during elective orthopedic surgeries. Nigerian Medical Journal. 2020;61(5):241.
Amiraslani S, Darbemamieh G, Karimian F, et al. Design, fabrication, and testing of a novel surgical handwashing machine. Surg Innov. 2021;28(3):323–8.
Rocktäschel T, Renner K, Cuny C, et al. Surgical hand preparation in an equine hospital: Comparison of general practice with a standardized protocol and characterization of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus recovered. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):1–12.
Asadpoor Z, Barabady A, Abtahi D. Comparison of two surgical hand antiseptic techniques: Hand rubbing and hand washing with alcohol-based agent and 7.5% povidone iodine. Journal of Critical Care Nursing. 2016.
Kutianski D, Lucas E, Eller D, et al. Hand hygienization by nursing professionals: A bibliographic review. International Journal of Health Science. 2024;4(45):2–4.
Erdem M, Khamdamova M, Ozaslan M. Basic principles of infection control and implementation strategies. Eurasia Proceedings of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 2024;30:90–6.
Duwal S, Budhathoki L, Dhaubanjar M, et al. Hand hygiene practice compliance among healthcare workers in a tertiary healthcare hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. PLOS Global Public Health. 2024;4(8):e0003322.
Alharbi A, Alshammari B. The scientific basis and the critical importance of hand hygiene in fighting infection and preventing the transmission of diseases. International Journal of Religion. 2024;5(12):1781–8.
Borja E, Jimenez V, Morales S. Hand hygiene among nursing staff and its relationship with surgical patient care. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar. 2024;8(2):1852–67.
Molina N. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hand washing adherence among healthcare workers. Rev Cubana Pediatr. 2020;92(2).
World Health Organization. Hand hygiene saves lives. 2021.
Ministry of Public Health. Hand hygiene, a responsible decision that saves lives in healthcare facilities. 2022.
Merino M, Rodrigo V, García A. How to increase healthcare personnel adherence to hand hygiene protocols? Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2024;92.
Arredondo A, Horcajo E, Cerrillo I, et al. Evolution of adherence to hand hygiene in a hospital in the community of Madrid. Rev Esp Salud Pública. 2020;94:e1-12.
Ministry of Health. Hand hygiene program of the National Health System. 2022.
Herrera M, Pérez P, Vázquez M, et al. Healthcare professionals facing the improvement of hand hygiene: Classical strategies versus advanced strategies. Revista Chilena de Infectología. 2014;31(5):534–41.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mónica Edelina Encalada-Muñoz, Rosa Veronica Sumba-Portilla, Isabel Cristina Mesa-Cano (Autor/a)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright & licencias
Derechos del autor y permiso:
- El autor o autores mantienen el derecho de autoría, siendo responsabilidad de Cuaderno de enfermería. Revista científica, valorar y publicar el contenido para su difusión en razón de ser reutilizado, siempre y cuando se cite, se le brinde crédito, así como no se emplee comercialmente, lo cual favorece y permite la reutilización de las mismas bajo la Licencia Creative Commons 4.0 de Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0, por lo cual se pueden copiar, usar, difundir, transmitir y exponer públicamente. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
- Los autores deben firmar obligatoriamente la “Carta de autorización para publicación y distribución” disponible.
- Una vez publicado el artículo, los autores pueden compartir en repositorios institucionales o personales con la intención de brindar mayor difusión a la obra.
Derechos de autor y permiso
- La revista permite que los autores tengan los derechos de autor sin restricciones.
- La revista permite que los autores conserven los derechos de publicación sin restricciones; y garantizan a la revista el derecho de ser la primera publicación del trabajo.
De los derechos del lector:
Derecho de los lectores: Los lectores tienen el derecho de leer todos los artículos gratuitamente, una vez hayan sido publicados, pudiendo reutilizar material de los artículos, siempre y cuando se cite la obra.
Licencia de contenido:
Creative Commons
Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
Política propuesta para revistas que ofrecen acceso abierto
Aquellos autores/as que tengan publicaciones con esta revista, aceptan los términos siguientes:
Usted es libre de:
Compartir — copiar y redistribuir el material en cualquier medio o formato
Adaptar — remezclar, transformar y construir a partir del material
La licenciante no puede revocar estas libertades siempre que cumpla con los términos de la licencia.
Bajo los siguientes términos:
- Atribución: debe dar el crédito correspondiente , proporcionar un enlace a la licencia e indicar si se realizaron cambios . Puede hacerlo de cualquier manera razonable, pero no de ninguna manera que sugiera que el licenciante lo respalda a usted o su uso.
- No comercial: no puede utilizar el material con fines comerciales.
- CompartirIgual : si remezclas, transformas o construyes sobre el material, debes distribuir tus contribuciones bajo la misma licencia que el original.
- Sin restricciones adicionales: no puede aplicar términos legales ni medidas tecnológicas que restrinjan legalmente a otros hacer cualquier cosa que la licencia permita
Una vez aprobado y publicado el artículo, este será de acceso abierto y distribuido según los términos y condiciones de la licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Declarándose que el autor o autores mantienen la autoría del artículo, una vez sea publicado el artículo en la revista, bajo las condiciones de la licencia Creative Commons Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)





