The voice boxes will be installed in the area's hospitals

The new automated system works by detecting the movements of people going in and out of hospital wards.

The battery-operated boxes, which attach to walls, will issue a message to use the alcohol gel provided.

The health authority said the technology was being tried for the first time in the country.

Research shows that hand hygiene is the single most effective way of preventing infection.

The health authority's hand hygiene co-ordinator Sarah Murdoch said the automated voice equipment was an innovative way to spread the hand-washing message.

She said: "Cleaning hands is the single most effective way to interrupt the chain of cross infection.

"This gentle reminder as people enter and leave wards is another measure designed to combat hospital acquired infections. Patient safety is our utmost priority."

Health professionals

The test equipment will be in place for four weeks and evaluation forms are being issued to staff and visitors to measure the success of the pilot scheme and implement any changes which may be recommended.

According to a report commissioned by the Scottish Government, staff at NHS Forth Valley were found to have the cleanest hands amongst health workers in Scotland, achieving a 94% success rate compared with a national average of 79%.

The audit, which included monitoring hand washing among doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, was the second to be carried out since Scotland's �2.5m hand hygiene campaign was launched in January 2007.