IMPACT OF HANDWASHING ON MORTALITY IN INTENSIVE-CARE - EXAMINATION OFTHE EVIDENCE

Our highest priority should be to increase compliance with hand hygien e guidelines. It is food for thought that in several studies the group with the lowest compliance in intensive care settings is intensive ca re physicians. It is a reasonable assumption that they are role models for the rest of the ICU staff. Studies on practical and efficient mea ns to increase compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and to influenc e behavior surely are needed more than are elaborate and sophisticated studies on the effects of handwashing (Infect Conrol Hosp Epidemiol 1 994;15:435-436).