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Regina Hospitals Fail Hygiene Audit Again
23 Jul
Summary
- Regina hospitals show persistent hand-washing problems since 2018.
- 43% of Regina hospital units had unacceptable hand hygiene compliance rates.
- Hospital-acquired infections continue to rise despite previous audits.
Staff at Regina hospitals have demonstrated ongoing issues with hand hygiene, failing to fully implement recommendations from a 2018 audit. A recent follow-up audit in December 2025 revealed that nearly half of the hospital units in Regina had unacceptable hand hygiene compliance rates.
Specifically, 26 out of 60 units, or 43 percent, fell below required standards. Ten units reported compliance rates below 80 percent, while 16 others failed to complete the necessary hand-hygiene audits. These lapses are concerning as they contribute to the spread of hospital-acquired infections.
While the overall number of hospital-acquired infections has decreased since 2018, cases have steadily increased over the past three years. These infections, such as staph and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, can lead to prolonged hospital stays and further complications for patients. Approximately 8,000 deaths in Canada annually are attributed to such infections.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority stated that hand hygiene is critical for infection prevention and that corrective actions are taken when units fall below the 80 percent threshold. However, the authority did not directly explain why it has not fully complied with the 2018 audit's recommendations.
