Hand hygiene training: innovating HAI prevention for future healthcare professionals

@article{rocca2026hand,
  title = {{Hand hygiene training: innovating HAI prevention for future healthcare professionals}},
  author = {F Della Rocca and G Moccia and M Tomeo and A Mea and S Caruccio and R De Caro and E Santoro and G Boccia and M Capunzo and F De Caro},
  journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.565},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.565},
  note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Hand hygiene training: innovating HAI prevention for future healthcare professionals
AU  - F Della Rocca
AU  - G Moccia
AU  - M Tomeo
AU  - A Mea
AU  - S Caruccio
AU  - R De Caro
AU  - E Santoro
AU  - G Boccia
AU  - M Capunzo
AU  - F De Caro
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - The European Journal of Public Health
DO  - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.565
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.565
AB  - Background: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective strategies for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Although a simple procedure, its correct execution requires competence, awareness, and attention. Training healthcare students is fundamental to promote safe and lasting behaviors in clinical practice.  Objectives: This study evaluated an educational intervention conducted at the University of Salerno on 149 Nursing students (94 females, 55 males; mean age 22.8 years). The assessment was performed using the Semmelweis Scanner, a device utilizing UV imaging and artificial intelligence to detect skin surfaces covered by fluorescent gel, simulating alcohol-based hand rubs. The intervention was structured over two days. On day 1, participants underwent an unguided initial assessment, followed by training focused on observed errors. One week later, students were re-evaluated. Four areas per participant were analyzed (palm and dorsum of both hands), providing 596 pre-intervention and 596 post-intervention assessments. Trials were classified as "Passed" with a ≥ 95% covered surface cut-off.  Results: Overall mean coverage increased from 95.04% (SD = 12.33) to 98.19% (SD = 8.59). "Passed" tests increased from 472/596 (79.19%) to 540/596 (90.60%). Area-specific analysis showed that, post-training, coverage in all areas exceeded the cut-off with statistical significance (p < 0.001): - Left palm: 97.31% (SD = 10.60%) → 99.15% (SD = 8.56%). - Right palm: 97.96% (SD = 9.72%) → 99.47% (SD = 8.23%). - Left dorsum: 92.92% (SD = 16.03%) → 97.09% (SD = 10.19%). - Right dorsum: 91.97% (SD = 17.06%) → 97.05% (SD = 10.09%).  Conclusions: This training tool proved highly effective, enabling students to visualize inadequately treated areas in real-time and improve their technique. These results demonstrate that integrating interactive digital tools in education enhances learning and promotes the adoption of effective hand hygiene practices, a key element in HAI prevention.  Key messages: • Integrating interactive digital tools into pre-clinical training fosters effective hygiene practices. This innovative educational approach is crucial for preventing healthcare infections.  • AI-driven UV scanners provide real-time visual feedback, significantly improving nursing students’ hand hygiene techniques and correcting errors on neglected areas like the hand dorsum.
SN  - 1101-1262
SN  - 1464-360X
ER  -