A bid to improve hand hygiene among healthcare staff has been launched by the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

Now a pilot programme that will ask patients to report their observations of staff will launched in some BHB outpatient clinics from April 1.

BHB Infection Prevention and Control Department staff will advise patients on proper hand hygiene procedures staff should be using and ask them to complete an anonymous survey.

A BHB spokeswoman said: “Hand hygiene is the most important measure in preventing the spread of infection.

“Studies have shown that making patients active participants in their care increases healthcare provider’s accountability and improves communication between the two.”