Hand Hygiene

Dozens of health care workers — from doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and others — touch patients in the hospitals and clinics every day. To protect patients from infection, we require that patient care workers thoroughly clean their hands before and after caring for each patient.

Hand hygiene means using either alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water, and using the proper washing techniques for the appropriate length of time.

At UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco, a team of Infection Control staff, doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, spiritual care staff, engineers and others created a program to ensure proper hand hygiene.

Patient Safety and Quality

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What does UCSF Medical Center do to ensure proper hand hygiene?

UCSF considers hand hygiene a priority and expects all health care workers to clean their hands every time they go in or out of a patient's hospital room or exam room.

Data about hand hygiene compliance are collected through monitoring, both discreetly and openly, and on camera in some areas. A daily compliance report is available. When someone fails to follow proper hand hygiene, they are reminded and coached on correct hand hygiene.

In fiscal year 2020, UCSF Medical Center achieved 92 percent hand hygiene compliance.

How do you know hand hygiene makes a difference?

UCSF Medical Center and other institutions have studied the impact of hand hygiene to reduce infection rates. Hand hygiene is one of many measures at UCSF Medical Center that have helped lower the rate of infections, such as central line-associated bloodstream infections. Our infection rates continue to decline.

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Quality of Patient Care

UCSF Health and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital San Francisco are committed to providing the safest and highest quality care to patients.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

One of the most common infections in the hospital is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). These infections can lead to serious complications.

Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Central lines, also called central venous catheters, are tubes placed into a patient's large vein, often in the neck, chest, arm or groin. Find more info here.

Fall Prevention

Patients who have undergone surgery or who are taking pain medications may find it difficult to stand, walk or maintain their balance. Find more info here.

Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries

A pressure injury, sometimes called a bedsore, is a wound in the skin or underlying tissue caused by pressure, friction and moisture. Find more info here.

Patient Experience

UCSF Medical Center has surveyed patients about their care experience for more than 20 years. See how our patients rate us.

Ventilator-Associated Events

Ventilator-associated events (VAEs) are complications or infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia, caused by the use of a mechanical ventilator.

Hand Hygiene

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