Washing hands. Rubbing with a soap. Close-up. Hand hygiene to reduce the spread of infections. Handwashing to stop spreading coronavirus and other infections

Proper hand hygiene was top of mind during the pandemic, but as experts predicted, compliance has since dropped. Despite contamination on high-touch surfaces, the thought is that COVID is gone, so handwashing isn't as important.

A recent study from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases revealed that 48 percent of adults admitted to forgetting or choosing not to wash their hands at key moments, like after visiting grocery stores, restaurants or health-care facilities. And only a third reported washing their hands with soap after coughing or sneezing. But at least 69 percent reported that they washed their hands after using the restroom.

According to CBC reporting, 80 percent of infectious diseases can be prevented with proper handwashing techniques. 

To support increased hand hygiene, the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus is using 3D imaging sensors in the ceiling to keep staff honest. The artificially intelligent monitoring system (AIMS) has been programmed to recognize proper handwashing technique. It reportedly uses a light that turns green once compliance has been met. 

According to reports, the hospital has been able to decrease hospital-acquired infections or outbreaks by 90 percent with a 41 percent increase in hand hygiene compliance.

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