THE IMPORTANCE OF HAND HYGIENE IN NURSING PRACTICE AS AN ESSENTIAL MEASURE FOR PATIENT SAFETY

Abstract

According to the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), hand hygiene consists of a set of procedures used to remove dirt, transient microorganisms, organic matter, and reduce microorganisms present on the skin. It is considered the main measure for preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), in addition to ensuring greater patient safety (ANVISA, 2010; WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2025).
The correct hand hygiene techniques are performed using soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, and surgical asepsis. The benefits of these techniques include protecting the patient and the professional, reducing hospital costs, strengthening the safety culture in the healthcare environment, improving quality and safety indicators, and preventing cases of cross-transmission and healthcare-associated infections (DERHUN et al., 2018; GURGEL et al., 2022).
Current standards and protocols for hand hygiene are defined by the WHO, ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency), and institutional protocols of health services. The WHO establishes international guidelines through the "Clean Care is Safer Care" campaign and the "5 moments for hand hygiene" protocol, which guides professionals in performing the procedure to prevent the transmission of pathogens and ensure patient safety (MONTEIRO, 2012; MAGNAGO et al., 2019).

ANVISA acts through the National Patient Safety Program, being able to reinforce recommendations through normative documents such as the Hand Hygiene Protocol and the Patient Safety Manual, which consists of regulating practices that standardize techniques, defining responsibilities, and providing guidance in health institutions to maintain adequate supplies (soaps, potable water, and 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer) (ARMOND, 2024). Furthermore, each institution has its own internal protocols that consist of training for the healthcare team, monitoring adherence, auditing, and continuous improvement strategies, ensuring adequate and standardized hand hygiene in all care sectors (GIORDANI et al., 2016; ZEHURI; SLOB, 2018).

The adoption of strategies to encourage hand hygiene by the nursing team can be achieved through educational, motivational, and organizational strategies capable of promoting a better understanding of safety within the healthcare service. The importance of periodic training and ongoing capacity building is highlighted, reinforcing hand hygiene practices, in addition to the provision of educational materials, implementation of regular audits, individual and collective feedback, and ensuring easy access to necessary supplies (SOUZA et al., 2015; SIVIERO et al., 2025).
Nursing professionals play an important role in promoting patient safety, where, according to the Code of Ethics for Nursing Professionals, it is the nurse's duty to provide safe and risk-free care, and regular harm reduction and disease prevention practices should be adopted. Performing hand hygiene practices involves responsibility, respect for life, competence, and commitment to the care provided (MOTA et al., 2014; COLAÇO; PONTÍFICE-SOUSA, 2017).

Despite international campaigns by the World Health Organization (WHO), guidelines from the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), and institutional protocols focused on hand hygiene, adequate adherence to this practice by the nursing team still presents significant gaps in various health services. Therefore, the problem of this research is to understand how the adherence of the nursing team to correct hand hygiene practices influences the prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and patient safety.