Objective To analyze the main problem of continuous hand hygiene improvement by PDCA cycle, find out the causes and carry out corresponding measures, in order to improve hand hygiene management continuously. Methods Between January and June 2014, PDCA cycle was used to strengthen comprehensive training, enhance awareness of hand hygiene, reinforce supervision, and evaluate the effect of continuous hand hygiene improvement. The knowledge of hand hygiene, increase of hand hygiene facilities, use of hand hygiene products and hand hygiene implementation before (from July to December 2013) and after PDCA application (from January to June 2014) were compared and analyzed. Results After the implementation of PDCA cycle, the pass rate of hand hygiene knowledge increased from 61.0% to 88.3%; the total amount of hand hygiene use increased from 1 817 046 mL to 3 347 386 mL; the hand hygiene compliance rate increased from 43.03% to 71.31%; and the correct rate of hand hygiene implementation increased from 62.68% to 87.68%. All the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After the implementation of PDCA cycle, the compliance rate of different hand hygiene indications became significantly different (P<0.05). The growth rate of hand hygiene implementation before aseptic manipulation and after contact with body fluids were relatively higher (34.56% and 34.01%, respectively). Conclusion Through the application of PDCA cycle, hand hygiene compliance rate and correct rate have gradually increased.