Hand Hygiene is considered “the most important measure for preventing the spread of pathogens in health- care settings” because it reduces the spread of pathogenic organisms to patients and health- care workers. Studies in the mid 1800s showed that hospital acquired nosocomial infections and diseases were spread by the hands of healthcare workers. In the 1980s, the first national guidelines for hand washing were published, and many other guidelines followed. The US public health service released a training video in 1961 that demonstrated recommended hand washing techniques for healthcare workers. The video recommended washing hands with soap and water for one to two minutes before and after coming in contact with a patient.
