Hygiena 2025, 70(3):89-96 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1891

Hand hygiene in social services

Radka Míšková, Martin Krause

Vysoká škola zdravotnická, Praha, Česká republika

Objectives: The aim of the study was to find out the effectiveness of training in the area of knowledge of direct care staff on hand hygiene before and after the training and to find out the effectiveness of training in the area of skills of direct care staff on hand disinfection before and after the training.

Methods: Data were collected using quantitative methods, including a non-standardized questionnaire and structured observation. The observation was carried out using an observation sheet and a UV lamp, both before and after the training. The research focused on direct care staff and was conducted in selected nursing homes in Moravia between September and October 2024.

Results: The research demonstrated that participants' knowledge significantly improved after the training in most cases. Respondents showed better understanding of hand hygiene, confirming the effectiveness of the educational intervention. However, the assessment of practical skills in hand disinfection revealed less favorable outcomes - participants kept omitting key steps in the proper hand disinfection procedure.

Conclusion: The study confirmed a statistically significant increase in average success rates in hand hygiene questions after the training. The training had a particularly positive effect on the duration of rubbing and the correct dosage of disinfectant. Nevertheless, the results indicate that important steps in the overall disinfection process are still being neglected, highlighting the need for thorough training of the complete technique. These findings offer valuable feedback for future education and hands-on practice.

Keywords: hand hygiene, health care associated infections, social services

Received: July 2025; Revised: July 30, 2025; Accepted: September 19, 2025; Published: October 15, 2025  Show citation