Hand Hygiene and Patient Safety: Roles of Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Laboratory, Dental Technicians, and Health Administration

Hand hygiene is vital for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), yet global compliance averages only 40%. This review highlights the contributions of nursing, physiotherapy, social work, laboratory services, dental technicians, and health administration in improving hygiene and patient safety. Nursing reduces infections like CLABSIs. In contrast, physiotherapists and social workers promote hygiene during care and education. Laboratory staff and dental technicians ensure contamination-free environments, and administrators allocate resources and enforce policies. Technological innovations, such as IoT monitoring and automated dispensers, have boosted compliance by up to 25%. However, challenges like behavioral resistance and resource limitations persist. Recommendations include tailored education, improved resource access, and technology integration to enhance compliance, reduce HAIs, and improve patient safety.