A December 2025 audit by provincial auditor Tara Clemett found that Regina hospitals are struggling to maintain essential hand hygiene standards. Despite recommendations made in 2018, many units within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) continue to fall short of safety protocols.
The 43 percent failure rate in Regina's hospital units
As reported by the provincial auditor, 26 out of 60 units in Regina hospitals failed to meet acceptable hand hygiene compliance levels. Ten of these units fell below the mandatory 80 percent threshold, with some units recording compliance rates as low as 46.6 percent.. This failure to meet established standards persists despite the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) having been warned about monitoring deficiencies as far back as 2018.. The audit suggests that the lack of consistent monitoring makes it difficult to track the actual efficacy of hygiene protocols across different medical wards.
A three-year rise in hospital-acquired infections
While hospital-acquired infections in Saskatchewan have decreased since the original 2018 audit, the report notes that cases have risen steadily over the last three years. This trend is particularly concerning given that proper hand hygiene is a primary defense against the spread of staph and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Simon Ntumba Makubudi, a registered nurse and instructor at the University of Regina, noted that physical contact is a major driver for transmitting microorganisms, making hygiene critical for preventing cross-contamination. The rising infection rates suggest that current hygiene practices may not be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by pathogens in a clinical setting.
The SHA's failure to implement 2018 recommendations
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has not fully implemented the changes suggested in a 2018 report regarding how hand washing rates are monitored and reported. Although the SHA now requires unit managers to create action plans whenever compliance drops below 80 percent, the audit indicates this policy is not being consistently enforced. Kateri Singer, who leads infection prevention at the SHA, emphasized that 100 percent compliance is the most vital action healthcare workers can take. However, the audit highlights a disconnect between this high-level mandate and the actual behavior observed on the hospital floors.
The impact of staffing shortages and travel nurses
The auditor's report also highlighted the province's reliance on travel nurses and the potential impact this has on full-time nursing staff. When asked for comment,the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) declined an on-camera interview, citing staff shortages, though they provided a statement regarding the importance of hygiene. This refusal to address the specific reasons for the unfulfilled 2018 recommendations leaves several questions unanswered. The report suggests that as the province moves away from using travel nurses, the resulting changes in staffing could have further consequences for hospital operations and infection control.
The missing action plans in Regina's medical units
A significant portion of the audit's findings focuses on the lack of accountability at the unit level. Many units are reportedly not conducting the required audits at all, and in cases where audits do occur, the necessary action plans to improve compliance are often never developed. This lack of follow-through creates a cycle of non-compliance that is difficult to break without direct intervention from the SHA. It remains unclear how many unit managers are aware of the 80 percent threshold requirement and why the enforcement of these protocols has been so inconsistent across the Regina hospital system .
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