A report by Martin and Ines Leidner, 2026

As part of our mission in Ghana this year, we supported [the project] on behalf of [the organization]. German Rotary Volunteer Doctors (GRVD eV) We supported four hospitals in improving hand hygiene. Together with the on-site teams, we installed more than 200 disinfectant dispensers and trained around 600 employees in the theory and practice of hygienic hand disinfection. The use of DesiCoach supported the communication of WHO hand hygiene recommendations and made a significant contribution to improving patient safety.

Visible learning success in everyday clinical practice

Consistent hand disinfection is one of the most effective measures to prevent the transmission of pathogens and related infections. Therefore, a particular focus was placed on practical training in correct hygienic hand disinfection. The use of the DesiCoach proved to be a particularly effective training tool in this regard.

The high acceptance of DesiCoach was particularly evident in Catholic Hospital Battor, where the practical demonstration was perceived as particularly clear and motivating by the more than 200 workshop participants. In the other hospitals as well, the practical exercises contributed significantly to promoting an understanding of complete and effective hand disinfection.

„"The staff showed themselves to be highly motivated to permanently integrate the learned techniques into their clinical routine."“

Practical training with dyer & bleacher

Part 1 (Checking the status quo):

The hands are rubbed with a special white training solution. After about a minute, the color develops: all uncolored skin areas show gaps in the wetting. A comparison with a reference scale also shows whether the chosen Dosage amount was sufficient.

Part 2 (Optimizing technology):

A second solution is used to remove the stain. During the application process, the hand movements can be directly observed and corrected as needed. Any remaining white residue makes it clear which areas of skin have not yet been completely covered.

„"The training sessions quickly made it clear that good hand hygiene is not a bothersome obligation, but protects patients as well as the staff themselves and their families."“

Infrastructure at the point of care

Good hand hygiene also requires the right conditions, especially suitable hand sanitizer that is readily available in the immediate work environment. The initial situations in the four hospitals differed considerably in some respects.

In some facilities, hand hygiene was primarily achieved by washing hands with water from reservoirs and carbolic soap. Some wall-mounted dispensers were defective. At other locations, battery-operated dispensers could no longer be used reliably due to an unreliable battery supply.

Thanks to generous donations, we were able to install more than 200 new dispenser systems together with the local teams. These included flexible point-of-care holders that can be attached directly to patient beds, making hand sanitizer available where it is needed.

Local pharmacists also played an important role. For example, in Berekum, they managed to quickly produce a suitable hand sanitizer according to the WHO formula.

For us, this mission has once again demonstrated how much can be achieved when good infrastructure, practical training and dedicated teams work together. We hope that the new insights will be preserved and implemented.

Thank you!

We at Heyfair would like to sincerely thank Martin and Ines Leidner for their dedicated commitment, for the insights into the project, and for providing the report and photos. We wish them continued success in their future endeavors!

More information about DesiCoach® and its applications in hygiene training can be found at heyfair.de

Report by: Martin Leidner, specialist for hospital hygiene at the Marienhaus Klinikum Hetzelstift in Neustadt, 2026
Photography: © Martin and Ines Leidner