Abstract: Hand hygiene represents an essential procedure in the prevention of infections; however, non-adherence to this procedure continues to pose an epidemiological concern. It is a priority, therefore, to identify solutions which will contribute to the perception of hand hygiene as the most critical antiseptic procedure. With the increasing bacterial drug resistance, as well as viral and fungal infections, preventive procedures are of particular relevance. Furthermore, the medical professionals are required to follow the procedures and to understand the significance of managing their basic professional tool, i.e. their hands. Thus, the hand hygiene program, which should be comprehensively implemented in every healthcare facility, should involve the quality of the hygiene infrastructure and of the products used to perform the procedures, knowledge of skin characteristics, the principles of proper skin care for rapid regeneration, as well as a competent approach to the medical professionals aimed at embracing the applicable principles.

Key words: hand hygiene, infections, prevention, skin