May 5 marks World Hand Hygiene Day, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the global campaign “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands.” It is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of a simple yet essential gesture for the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and communities.
Hand hygiene is one of the cornerstones of preventing healthcare-associated infections, a topic that is increasingly relevant across all clinical and care settings. International data confirm that proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of infections, thereby contributing to the safety and quality of healthcare.
At the University of Parma’s Healthcare Master’s programs, education on hand hygiene is not merely a technical procedure but an act of ethical and professional responsibility. Correct implementation of hygiene practices requires knowledge, awareness, and a culture of prevention. Each year, the WHO’s “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands” initiative highlights the importance of adhering to hand hygiene guidelines, engaging healthcare facilities, universities, professionals, and students around the world.
Graduates of the Healthcare Master’s programs are called upon to be active agents of change: promoters of proper behavior, educators within their professional environments, and advocates for a culture of safety. Because hand hygiene is not only an individual act—it is a collective commitment that begins with training and is reflected in daily practice.