NERS NEWS – Surabaya, February 27, 2026. Students from the Nursing Study Program, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, conducted a health education session on hand hygiene for the families of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA). This activity was carried out by students during their Clinical Nursing Practice as part of the implementation of promotive and preventive nursing care within the hospital environment.
The session began at 09:00 AM WIB in the ICU family waiting room, attended by several family members on duty. The organizing team consisted of students from the Class of 2023, Sub-Group C6, under the guidance of both academic and clinical instructors.
During the event, students provided counseling on the vital importance of hand hygiene as a primary step in infection prevention, particularly in high-risk intensive care settings. The material covered the definition of hand hygiene, its benefits, the “critical moments” for handwashing, and the functional differences between washing with soap and using the hand rub method.
To support the learning process, students distributed leaflets containing concise information on the correct hand rub steps and essential timing for hand hygiene. These leaflets serve as a portable guide for families to review and apply independently.
In the practical session, students demonstrated the proper hand rub technique using hand sanitizer according to recommended steps: applying sufficient fluid, rubbing palms, the back of hands, between fingers, fingertips, thumbs, and wrists for approximately 20–30 seconds until dry. Following the demonstration, participants were asked to practice the technique to evaluate their understanding.
One of the family members expressed appreciation for the activity. “I now realize that using hand sanitizer involves specific steps, not just simply rubbing your hands. This is very useful because we use hand rubs more frequently here in the ICU,” they remarked.
This activity aligns with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, which emphasizes health improvement and disease prevention through clean and healthy living behaviors.
Through this initiative, the Faculty of Nursing students at Universitas Airlangga have implemented their role as educators in clinical practice while contributing to the awareness of patient families. It is hoped that such activities will continue as part of ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety and the quality of healthcare services.
Author: Ahmad Zainur Rahman (PKK Group C6/A23)
Editor: Farah Dina Azizatul Aulia (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
