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Updated: May 9, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Impact of environmental olfactory cues on hand hygiene behaviour in a simulated hospital environment: a randomized
D J Birnbach1, D King, I Vlaev
1UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. dbirnbach@med.miami.edu
Abstract:
This study investigated the impact of a fresh scent on the rate of hand hygiene compliance (HHC) among novice healthcare providers. In all, 165 participants examined a standardized patient with one sample exposed to fresh scent (N = 79) and the other exposed to the standard environment (N = 86). Hand hygiene behaviours were tracked before patient contact using video surveillance. The standard environment group had an HHC rate of 51% whereas participants in the fresh scent group had a higher HHC rate of 80% (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that hand hygiene behaviour may be subconsciously influenced by cues in the environment.
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