Episode 5 – “Hand Hygiene: The Foundation That Still Needs Fixing”

Even though hand hygiene remains one of the most effective infection control measures against the spread of infectious disease, compliance in healthcare settings continues to fall short worldwide. Why is something so simple still so difficult to sustain?In this episode, Wayne Tucker explores the complex human, cultural, and system-level factors behind missed hand hygiene opportunities. From busy clinical environments and glove overreliance to gaps in leadership visibility and feedback culture, each segment examines why compliance remains a challenge not only in Nova Scotia and Canada, but across the globe.Wayne also discusses how rapid workflow, poor technique, and short application times often lead to missed areas of the hands. He highlights evidence-based strategies to strengthen daily practice: real-time feedback, peer modelling, improved accessibility, and supportive leadership that normalizeshand hygiene as an expected professional reflex rather than a monitored task.The episode closes with a key message: improving hand hygiene isn’t a campaign — it’s a cultural movement. When healthcare organizations combine strong systems, positive reinforcement, and human-centered design, hand hygiene performance becomes part of the DNA of safe care.Hosted by Wayne Tucker, The Infection Control Exchange.