Survey of EMS Personnel Reveals Lackluster Hand Hygiene Practices
Researcher Josh Bucher, MD, of the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., and colleagues, conducted a survey of emergency medical service (EMS) responders that revealed just 13 percent reported washing their hands before coming in contact with patients.
The study, "Emergency Medical Service Provider Hand Washing Practices" (poster #122), presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), held Oct. 14-17 in Seattle, also found that 52 percent of the survey respondents said that they wear gloves for every patient contact. Only 33 percent of emergency medical providers said they cleaned their hands after performing invasive procedures, and only 13 percent of respondents said they cleaned their stethoscope between patients.
Â
Source: American College of Emergency Physicians
Newsletter
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
