![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_259591583-81e7.jpg\")
\n\t\tExperts said the findings were concerning for patient safety (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tExperts said the findings were concerning for patient safety (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one of the simplest steps in stopping germs from spreading \u2013 but nearly half of hospital toilet<\/a> users are failing to wash their hands, a new study has found.<\/p>\n Researchers at the University of Surrey<\/a> put sensors on toilet and sink pipes to monitor hygiene behaviours at a hospital in Denmark<\/a>.<\/p>\n Over the roughly five-month period, they found that 43.7% of users did not wash their hands after using the loo.<\/p>\n The figure, which jumped to 61.8% on some of the weeks, has raised the alarm about hygiene practices that some might have assumed had become commonplace after the pandemic.<\/p>\n Dr Pablo Pereira Doel from the University of Surrey said people failing to wash their hands could \u2018directly affect patient safety\u2019 in hospitals.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n People were especially bad at washing their hands at the start and end of the day, as well as during mealtimes.<\/p>\n \t\t NHS<\/a> guidance says hand washing is \u2018one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses\u2019.<\/p>\n The advice hit the headlines at the start of the pandemic when then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson<\/a> urged the nation to \u2018wash your hands for 20 seconds or more\u2019.<\/p>\n Professor Benjamin Gardner, from the University of Surrey, said: \u2018Strategies that raise awareness at the crucial point in a bathroom visit and easily understood messaging about how to wash effectively \u2013 like singing Happy Birthday twice over \u2013 can help people form handwashing habits that last.\u2019<\/p>\n The study took place at Bispebjerg hospital in Copenhagen, recording 2,636 over the course of 19 weeks.<\/p>\n Professor Carrie Newlands, also of the University of Surrey, added the latest findings are \u2018not surprising\u2019.<\/p>\n \u2018Even simple behaviours like handwashing can lapse without reinforcement.<\/p>\n \u2018In hospitals, lapses like these can have serious consequences \u2013 for patients and for the wider healthcare system.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s time we moved beyond posters and hand gel stations to more effective behavioural strategies.\u2019<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SEI_259591540-0f2c.jpg\")
\n\t\tNHS advice says hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent illness (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\nMORE: 21 seconds to go: The golden rule for how long it should take you to pee<\/a><\/p>\n
\nMORE: The reason why this famous TV doctor travelled 360 miles for surgery<\/a><\/p>\n