Hand Hygiene Compliance among Clinical Nurses: A Cornerstone for Infection Control

Abstract

Abstract: Hand hygiene is universally recognized as a critical element in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Despite extensive guidelines and awareness campaigns, compliance among clinical nurses remains inconsistent. Nurses, being frontline caregivers, have the most frequent contact with patients and are essential stakeholders in maintaining hygiene standards. This paper explores the importance of hand hygiene; reviews global and regional compliance trends, analyzes the challenges faced by clinical nurses, and examines the potential interventions and strategies that can drive higher adherence. The study highlights how organizational culture, training, accessibility, and monitoring can transform hand hygiene from a procedural act into a behavioral norm, especially in low-resource settings.

Keywords: Hand hygiene, Clinical nurses, Infection control, Compliance, Healthcare-associated infections, Hospital safety