Journal of Nursing Research Perspectives

Abstract

Background/Objective: Preventable infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults due to age-related physiological changes, cognitive decline, and functional limitations. Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention strategy, yet it is often misunderstood or inconsistently practiced by geriatric patients. The emergency department represents a critical and frequently underused setting for brief patient education, as many older adults rely on it as a primary point of healthcare contact. This article aims to illustrate practical, evidence-informed strategies that nursing students can use to deliver effective hand hygiene education to older adults in the emergency department.

Methods: A case-based educational approach was used to demonstrate hand hygiene teaching for an older adult presenting to the emergency department. The case integrates common age-related barriers to hand hygiene, including limited mobility, joint pain, and misconceptions about infection prevention. Educational strategies were informed by established infection-prevention principles and adapted to the patient’s functional and cognitive needs. No statistical analyses were performed, as this article is descriptive in nature.

Results: The case highlights how tailored, brief educational interventions can address misconceptions, im prove understanding of proper hand hygiene techniques, and promote feasible practices aligned with the pa tient’s abilities. Nursing student-led education emphasized clear communication, demonstration, and the use of accessible hygiene options. The approach demonstrated the potential to enhance patient engagement and reinforce infection-prevention behaviors during emergency department encounters.

Conclusions: Nursing students can play a meaningful role in improving hand hygiene knowledge among older adults through targeted education in the emergency department. Case-based teaching illustrates how simple, individualized strategies may help reduce infection risk in this vulnerable population. Incorporating struc tured patient education into routine emergency care may strengthen infection-prevention efforts and support better health outcomes for geriatric patients