Background: Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) stands for 34% of all the adverse events in Sweden. In Swedish hospitals 65 000 patients suffer from HCAIs every year, whereas approximately 30-50% could have been avoided by compliance in hygiene precautions. Every year worldwide hundreds of millions of patients are affected with HCAI, that is the most common adverse event in healthcare and its overall effects are still not fully understood.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the compliance in hygiene precautions in healthcare.

Method: The method used was a literature study based on qualitative research. The articles were analysed according to Fribergs five step model and resulted in two main themes and five sub-themes.

Results: The main themes were- difficulties in the organization of the workplace and working atmosphere. The main themes consisted of sub themes that described what determined compliance to hygiene precautions.

Conclusion: The result showed that compliance in hygiene precautions is a complex matter. The result showed big differences globally in what determine the compliance in hygiene precautions. Even if compliance in hygiene precautions is the single most effective action in preventing HCAIs the compliance is not yet fully implemented.