WHO announces new hand hygiene campaign
Piggy backing off its “Clean Care is Safer” campaign launched in 2005, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced its latest initiative on May 5th. Titled “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands,” the initiative attempts to illustrate how deadly failing to use proper hand hygiene practices can be. Several events took place around the world on May 5th in honor of the initiative’s launch.
The WHO has also posted lots of tools on it’s Web site for those hospitals interested in the initiative, including case studies, videos, and a graphic display touting the “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” that specifies the five most important times bedside caregivers can perform hand hygiene. They also offer advice on how to educate staff members, a method for gathering feedback on any hand hygiene initiatives started in a facility, and a sample action plan for those hospitals who need guidance.
The concept of cleaning our hands to prevent the spread of infection is not new, yet it’s something that is just not done enough in the healthcare setting. The WHO’s new spin might spur on some creative ideas within your own facility. Has your hospital signed up to be a a part of this new initiative? More than 4,500 hospitals worldwide have done so.
About the Author: Heather Comak is a Managing Editor at HCPro, Inc., where she is the editor of the monthly publication Briefings on Patient Safety, as well as patient safety-related books and audio conferences. She is also is the Assistant Director of the Association for Healthcare Accreditation Professionals.
Contact Heather by e-mailing hcomak@hcpro.com