ObjectiveTo summarize and analyze the effect of hand hygiene（HH） cost on the incidence of healthcareassociated infection (HAI), evaluate continuous improvement method, and provide data for hospital management.MethodsThe cost of HH project and incidence of HAI in a hospital from January 2013 to June 2014, as well as HH compliance in the first half year of 2014 were investigated.ResultsSemiannual statistics were performed， the cost of HH project in the first half of 2013, second half of 2013,and first half of 2014 were 283 490, 414 232, and 522 345 yuan respectively，compared with the first half of 2013, the cost of HH in the first half of 2014 increased by 84.26%; incidence of HAI were 3.13%, 3.33%, and 3.03% respectively，difference was significant（χ2=10.37，P＜0.001）.In the first half of 2014, HH compliance rate increased from 35.00% in January to 59.49% in June. The top three factors that affecting the implementation of HH were busy work, had no time for handwashing; inadequate HH facilities or supplies; inadequate knowledge about HH.ConclusionIncreasing the investment of HH products can improve HH compliance and reduce the incidence of HAI.