There is major room for hand-hygiene improvement in hospital reception areas, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control and Clinical Quality website.

Hand hygiene compliance rates were 2.2 percent and 1.7 percent in two reception areas studied using direct observation. Using the electronic observer, researchers measured compliance rates of 17 percent and 7.1 percent in the reception areas, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

The study authors said that hand hygiene is most crucial whenrelated to patient care, but call the low compliance rates in reception areas "unacceptable."

"This information can stimulate hospital administrators and infection preventionists to establish strategies to promote improved safety in the hospital by encouraging patients, visitors and healthcare workers to use alcohol gel when they enter the hospital," according to the study.

Read the article.