Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the campaign and hand hygiene. If your question is not answered please feel free to contact us at the link given below.

A more comprehensive list can be found on the microsite (www.npsa.nhs.uk/cleanyourhands) and will be added to over time. The answers are intended as a guide only.

We rely on feedback from healthcare workers in Trusts implementing the campaign in practice to ensure that we do not lose the campaign’s momentum. Please send us feedback on any of the material provided.

Q Why is there a two-stage roll-out of posters rather than monthly changes?

A Refreshing campaign materials keeps the campaign visible. The materials will stand out because they are distinctive and designed to be built on rather than replaced, which will also be easier to manage.

Q Why is black the predominant colour?

A The majority of communications materials found on hospital walls are white or light-coloured. Having a black background makes our posters and other materials stand out, give them a hard-hitting look and conveys the seriousness of the message.

Q Why have some items such as floor vinyls not been provided?

A Some items are not suitable for every organisation and every environment. Rather than produce them for everyone and limit other materials, we have provided the artwork for these additional items so that they can be produced locally as wanted. This also allows for any local customisation that might be necessary, such as with the floor vinyls.

A The campaign materials are available for all areas within acute trusts, including outpatient services such as radiology. Please do ensure that the materials are reaching all areas.

Q What is the role of patients/visitors in the campaign?

A The focus of the campaign is on healthcare workers, as they have the greatest potential to transfer the microorganisms that cause infections as they move between patients and different care activities with the same patient. Visitors and patients are highly unlikely to touch a patient in susceptible areas of the body and then even less likely to touch another patient similarly. Therefore, by improving the hand hygiene of healthcare workers, we hope to have the most impact in terms of preventing infection. Some Trusts have chosen to provide alcohol handrub for patients and visitors to use, which raises the profile of hand hygiene generally.

Q What difference has the campaign made to behaviour?

A Results from the independent evaluation of the campaign have concluded that it has been effective in changing many aspects of hand hygiene behaviour in acute NHS hospitals in England and Wales. The evaluation is ongoing.

Q What are the best positions for the alcohol handrub?

A The alcohol handrub should be positioned where and when care is provided. This is known as the point of care. It is when the caregiver, care receiver and care activity all combine at the same place and time. Alcohol handrub dispensers can be by the bedside (on the wall or the locker), in treatment rooms, or even carried by healthcare workers. Having handrub dispensers at ward entrances can be effective in raising the profile of hand hygiene but care is generally not provided here.

Q Some healthcare workers are asking “How much is this campaign costing?” This is partly because the posters look as though they must be pretty expensive.

A The economies of scale associated with mass production of centralised materials mean that the posters are actually cheaper to produce than any locally produced materials could ever be. We are concerned about value for money: minimising cost while maximising impact and influence. In terms of return on investment, hand hygiene improvement of this nature has been described as one of the most cost-effective health improvement strategies possible.

Q Why do we use all upper case lettering?

A Upper case lettering has been chosen as it is both easier to read and has more impact than lower case text. It also reflects the hard-hitting nature of the campaign and the seriousness of the message.

Q Isn’t red against black difficult for people to read?

A Red has been used as a highlight colour only and is very effective in drawing attention to the messages. The campaign was thoroughly tested at a series of focus groups and on balance this was not felt to be an issue.