Abstract: Healthcare-associated infections are the most common kind of patient harm in hospitals. Although 5–10% of hospitalized patients in developed countries have similar infections, the burden of disease is much higher in low- and middle-income countries. Preventing the spread of infectious diseases requires widespread, systematic use of hygiene practices by healthcare workers, but only around 40% of those who should comply actually do so. There are several reasons why hand cleaning is so important in a healthcare setting. It prevents patients from catching infectious diseases that originate inside their bodies as well as those brought in from outside, as well as the spread of germs from one person to another. When combined with other safety measures, it protects medical personnel from the hazards of occupational infections. Reports show that for every 100 hospitalized patients, 10 in emerging and low-income countries and 7 in high-income economies contract at least one HCAI.