Patients experience of hand hygiene in hospital settings : a descriptive literature review
Acharya, Janaki; Shrestha, Nilam (2026)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602112599
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202602112599
Tiivistelmä
The aim of this study was to produce new insight into patient experience of supportive factors and challenges related to hand hygiene in hospital settings. Gaining insight into this kind of first-hand experience helps to understand patient experience and address the challenges that ultimately enhance the patient's perception in infection prevention.
A descriptive literature review was conducted, including peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. Articles were retrieved from CINAHL and MEDLINE. Seven articles were selected in the analysis. An inductive content analysis approach was applied. This study explored patient’s experiences, perceived supportive factors, and challenges in maintaining hand hygiene during hospitalization. The findings were grouped into two main categories: patient support experiences and challenges. Patients support experiences were shaped by emotional factors, personal agency, and social support, with feelings of safety, confidence, empowerment, and observation of staff practices enhancing adherence. Supportive factors such as oral interactions with healthcare workers, hand hygiene orientation, and information about hygiene products further reinforced patient engagement. Similarly, patients faced challenges including environmental and system barriers, psychological discomfort, attitudinal issues, skill limitations, and physical dependency, which hindered consistent hand hygiene.
In conclusion, understanding these supportive factors and challenges indicate the need to create a supportive hospital environment and implement targeted interventions to enhance patient participation in hand hygiene and infection prevention practices within hospital settings.
A descriptive literature review was conducted, including peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. Articles were retrieved from CINAHL and MEDLINE. Seven articles were selected in the analysis. An inductive content analysis approach was applied. This study explored patient’s experiences, perceived supportive factors, and challenges in maintaining hand hygiene during hospitalization. The findings were grouped into two main categories: patient support experiences and challenges. Patients support experiences were shaped by emotional factors, personal agency, and social support, with feelings of safety, confidence, empowerment, and observation of staff practices enhancing adherence. Supportive factors such as oral interactions with healthcare workers, hand hygiene orientation, and information about hygiene products further reinforced patient engagement. Similarly, patients faced challenges including environmental and system barriers, psychological discomfort, attitudinal issues, skill limitations, and physical dependency, which hindered consistent hand hygiene.
In conclusion, understanding these supportive factors and challenges indicate the need to create a supportive hospital environment and implement targeted interventions to enhance patient participation in hand hygiene and infection prevention practices within hospital settings.