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’s an opportunity to emphasize the importance of a simple yet essential act 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 confirms that proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of infections, contributing to both the safety and quality of healthcare.
At the Healthcare Master’s programs of the University of Parma, hand hygiene education is not just a technical procedure but an act of ethical and professional responsibility. Proper implementation of hygiene practices requires knowledge, awareness, and a culture of prevention. The WHO’s “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands” initiative draws global attention each year to the importance of adhering to hand hygiene guidelines, engaging healthcare facilities, universities, professionals, and students around the world.
Graduates from the Healthcare Master’s programs are called to be active agents of change: promoters of proper behaviors, educators in their workplaces, and advocates for a culture of safety. Because hand hygiene is not just an individual act, but a collective commitment that begins with education and becomes part of everyday practice.