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The observed hand hygiene practices were discussed at monthly meetings and posted in the ICUs. Nosocomial infections that occurred in the ICUs were recorded according to the CDC definitions of such infections. Baseline and postintervention data of hand hygiene practices were collected by trained in-fection control practitioners. The overall compliance of hand hygiene improved from baseline (23.1%) to the postintervention phase (64.5%).35Hand hygiene is a simple measure that when imple-mented in the everyday care of patients can reduce SSIs and improve patient safety.36 Hand hygiene practices should always be a priority when participating in patient care. The 2009 WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene36 recommend that the healthcare provider engage in hand hygiene in the following situations:1. When the hands are visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or body fluids or after using the toilet2. If there is exposure to potential spore-forming pathogens, including outbreaks of Clostridium difficile3. Before and after touching a patient, before handling an invasive device for patient care, regardless of whether or not gloves are used; after contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, nonintact skin, or wound dressings; if moving from a contaminated body site to another body site during the care of the same patient; after contact with inanimate surfaces and objects (including medical equipment) in the immediate vicinity of the patient; and after removing sterile or nonsterile gloves4. Before handling medications or preparing foodConclusionThe Institute of Medicine has galvanized attention to issues of quality and medical error as they pertain to healthcare delivery in the US.37 Policymakers, health-care stakeholders, and professional organizations have launched initiatives targeted at improving hospital quality regarding inpatient surgery by minimizing complications, reducing medical expenses, and increasing favorable outcomes. As the need for transparency in healthcare heightens, the demand for positive surgical patient outcomes will intensify.