Handwashing facilities in the clinical area: a literature review

Handwashing is without doubt the most important intervention in the control of cross-infection. However, many healthcare staff do not comply with the procedure. One of the factors that contributes towards this is a lack of adequate and appropriate handwashing facilities. This article looks at the literature relating to handwashing and identifies what adequate and appropriate facilities actually are, with recommended standards for clinical areas. It concludes by highlighting that a greater commitment is needed from managers in this area in order to improve compliance with handwashing and therefore reduce infection rates.