Today, 5 May, is World Hand Hygiene Day. The Order of Physiotherapists joins this date, emphasising the importance of hand hygiene for health safety, the prevention of healthcare-associated infections and the quality of care provided.
According to information released today by the Directorate-General for Health, through the Programme for the Prevention and Control of Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (PPCIRA), the adherence of healthcare professionals to hand hygiene reached 82.2% in 2025, confirming a positive and sustained evolution compared to the figures recorded in 2015. Even so, the data reinforces the need to continue consolidating strategies to bring results closer to the levels of excellence recommended internationally.
The first moment - before contact with the patient - continues to have the lowest compliance rate among the five moments, which highlights the importance of strengthening adherence to this practice in all care settings.
In this context, the Order of Physiotherapists reaffirms its commitment to a professional practice based on safety, prevention and quality of care. At a time when health systems are facing increasingly complex challenges, it is important to remember that a simple, quick and accessible gesture can have a decisive impact on the protection of people, professionals and institutions.
To mark this date, the Order of Physiotherapists is making available a set of awareness-raising and information materials on hand hygiene, prepared as part of this campaign. The resources include general background material on the event and posters to support practice, namely on the 5 moments for hand hygiene and the two recommended techniques - washing with soap and water and antiseptic rubbing. The materials are in line with the campaign “Action that Saves Lives” and include messages such as “Save Lives. Sanitise Your Hands” e “We save lives through hand hygiene”, reinforcing the value of this practice as an essential health safety measure.
Consult and download the materials below.
