ObjectiveTo investigate cognitive status and influencing factors for hand hygiene(HH) among health care workers(HCWs) , and provide basis for scientific management of HH.MethodsIn April 2013,  HCWs in a general hospital were selected  by randomly sampling method, questionnaires were used to survey the implementation of HH in recent one month and HCWs’ cognition on knowledge about HH.ResultsA total of 750 HCWs were investigated, 652 available questionnaires were collected. The frequency of hand washing and hand disinfection per day among most HCWs were 10-19 times, accounting for 46.62% and 47.85% respectively;  30.52% of HCWs washed their hands for ≥30 seconds each time, 60.58% of HCWs dried hands with paper towel after washing hands, 57.21% of HCWs  abided by  sixstep hand washing method. The overall correct rate of cognition on ten opportunities that requiring HH in clinical practice was 68.68%.The main factors influencing the implementation of HH were as follows: skin irritation of hand sanitizer and hand disinfectant subjectively considered by HCWs(63.34%), inadequate hand washing facilities( 41.10%);  high cost of hand sanitizer ,  hand disinfectant, and dry paper towel (38.96%),et al.ConclusionIn addition  to intensifying education on HH, installing rational HH facilities and improving HH standard are  key points in strengthening HH in general hospital.