title: Cost implications of successful hand hygiene promotion.
abstract: We evaluated the costs associated with a sustained and successful campaign for hand hygiene promotion that emphasized alcohol-based handrubs. The total cost of the hand hygiene promotion corresponded to less than 1% of the costs associated with nosocomial infections. Successful hand hygiene promotion is probably cost-saving.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Program, University of Geneva Hospitals, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pittet
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sax
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hugonnet
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harbarth
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education / Q000191:economics; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000191:economics; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local