As per a study being published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), it has been revealed that there has been significant improvement in the rate of hand hygiene at hospitals in England and Wales. All this has been possible due to the CleanYourHands campaign, which was launched in 2004.

The campaign aimed to improve the hand hygiene has got huge success. It has been found that the rate of soap and alcoholic hand rub in the NHS has almost tripled. In addition, it has also been found that there has been a major decline in the number of Clostridium difficile infections.

The study analyzed the effect between July 2004 and June 2008. The analysis found that visitors were also encouraged to wash their hands before touching patients or while coming close to them. They were also asked to wash their hands properly while feeding patients and also at the time when they have to eat food or going toilet.

"The CleanYourHands campaign was associated with sustained increases in hospital procurement of alcohol rub and soap which the results suggest has an important role in reducing rates", read the report. A spokesman from the Department of Health was also found to be appreciating the campaign.