A systematic review of the evidence for Ayliffe's six-step hand hygiene technique used by healthcare workers.

Review Objective This systematic review seeks to synthesize the best available evidence on theeffectiveness of Ayliffe’s six-step hand hygiene technique amongst healthcare workers. Inclusion criteria Types of participants The review will consider studies relating to Ayliffe’s six-step hand hygiene technique involving all healthcare workers, including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support workers. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The review will consider studies which examine the effectiveness of Ayliffe’s six-step hand hygiene technique used by healthcare workers. Types of outcomes The primary outcome for this review will be a demonstrable reduction in the microbial load of healthcare workers hands following hand hygiene, where the technique used is described. In addition, secondary outcomes, if they are reported on, will be infection rates, outbreaks, patients mortality associated with hand hygiene practice in healthcare workers and factors associated with compliance, such as time to perform technique.