Abstract:Objective To enhance the accessibility of hand hygiene (HH) facilities and HH compliance, and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) of psychiatric patients in specialized psychiatric hospitals by designing and installing personalized HH facilities. Methods 12 wards in a tertiary first-class specialized psychiatric hospital in Beijing were selected. Personalized HH facilities were designed and installed at corresponding locations in the wards according to patients’ accessibility. Using direct observation method and with the installation date (February 1, 2024) of HH facilities as the node, HH compliance of hospitalized patients before (October 2023 to January 2024) and after (February to May 2024) the installation of facilities was investigated. Changes before and after the installation of HH facilities were evaluated. Results The compliance rate and accuracy rate of patients’ HH before HH facilities installation were 51.85% and 34.49%, respectively. While those after the installation were 59.96% and 46.26%, respectively, both higher than before the installation (both P<0.05). After the installation, HH compliance rates of patients before and after eating, before defecation and urination, before and after leaving the ward, before and after touching public goods, as well as before and after contacting with other patients or items were all higher than those before installation (all P<0.05). The compliance rate and accuracy rate of HH of male and female patients after installation were both higher than those before installation (both P<0.05). Conclusion The accessibility of HH facilities in specialized psychiatric hospitals is poor. HH compliance rate and accuracy rate of patients are low. Installing personalized HH facilities can enhance HH compliance rate and accuracy rate of patients while ensuring patients safety.