More than 220,000 healthcare-associated infections occur in Canadian hospitals each year, resulting in at least 8,000 deaths, according to PICNet. A 2017 national point prevalence survey found 7.9% of patients had at least one such infection. A 2026 provincial audit found many hospital units below the 80% hand hygiene compliance target. Numbers and sources are below.
What are the key hand hygiene and infection statistics for Canada?
| Statistic | Figure | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare-associated infection cases in Canadian hospitals per year | More than 220,000, resulting in at least 8,000 deaths | PICNet | Current PICNet page |
| Hospital patients who contract a healthcare-associated infection | One in every nine | PICNet | Current PICNet page |
| Patients with at least one healthcare-associated infection (point prevalence) | 7.9% | Public Health Agency of Canada, CCDR | Survey year 2017, reported 2025 |
| Hospital units meeting the hand hygiene compliance target | Many units below the 80% target | A provincial audit (CBC, Canadian Healthcare Technology) | 2026 |
| Hospital cleaning staff with residual fluorescence after handwashing, before training | 33.75% (27 of 80) | Frontiers in Public Health | January 2026 |
| Same staff after a Glo Germ-based assessment and education session | 8.75% (7 of 80) | Frontiers in Public Health | January 2026 |
How common are healthcare-associated infections in Canada?
PICNet estimates that more than 220,000 cases occur in Canadian hospitals each year, resulting in at least 8,000 deaths, and that one in every nine hospital patients contracts a healthcare-associated infection. Source: PICNet healthcare-associated infection surveillance.
A national point prevalence survey in 2017 estimated that 7.9% of patients had at least one healthcare-associated infection. Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, CCDR (2025).
What is the hand hygiene compliance target?
A 2026 provincial audit in Canada found many hospital units below the 80% hand hygiene compliance target. The audit is a reminder that a target is only useful if units are measured against it regularly. Reference coverage: CBC News and Canadian Healthcare Technology.
Why do compliance rates vary?
Published rates are only comparable when they use the same method, staff group and definition of compliance. When you read any figure, check who was observed, how, and when. Direct observation, product-use tracking and fluorescent-marker checks each measure something different.
What helps staff improve hand hygiene technique?
Visual feedback is one approach. In a study published in Frontiers in Public Health on 28 January 2026, 80 hospital cleaning staff at a single tertiary hospital in China took a 45-minute session with a Glo Germ-based assessment and education. Before the session, 33.75% (27 of 80) showed residual fluorescence after handwashing. Afterward, 8.75% (7 of 80) did. Source: Frontiers in Public Health.
Before training, the areas most often missed were the spaces between the fingers (13.75% of participants), the fingertips (12.50%) and the backs of fingers 2 to 5 (11.25%). This is one small study at one hospital. It measured handwashing technique, not infection rates.
Glo Germ is a training and teaching tool that simulates germs and glows under UV light, so staff can see missed spots. To try it with your team, see our guide on how to improve hand hygiene compliance in hospitals.
Frequently asked questions
How many healthcare-associated infections happen in Canada each year?
PICNet estimates more than 220,000 cases of healthcare-associated infection in Canadian hospitals each year, resulting in at least 8,000 deaths. Source: PICNet.
What is the hand hygiene compliance target in Canadian hospitals?
A 2026 provincial audit in Canada measured hospital units against an 80% hand hygiene compliance target and found many below it. Targets can differ between health systems.
Can Glo Germ training improve handwashing technique?
In a study published in Frontiers in Public Health on 28 January 2026, 80 hospital cleaning staff at a single tertiary hospital in China took part. Residual fluorescence after handwashing fell from 33.75% to 8.75% after a Glo Germ-based assessment and education session. It is a small study, and it measures technique, not infection rates. Source: Frontiers in Public Health.
Is Glo Germ a cleaning or health product?
No. Glo Germ is a training and teaching tool that simulates germs under UV light. It shows where handwashing missed. It is not a cleaning or health product, and it makes no health claims.
Sources
- PICNet: Healthcare-associated infections surveillance
- Public Health Agency of Canada, CCDR: Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in Canadian hospitals
- Frontiers in Public Health: Effectiveness of a Glo Germ-based assessment and educational intervention to improve hand hygiene compliance among hospital cleaning staff
- CBC News and Canadian Healthcare Technology: reference coverage of a 2026 provincial audit
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