Saving lives is simpler than we thought; it starts with clean hands. On 5 May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) sent out a clear and powerful message: “Clean hands are the start to a healthy life.”
Whether you are five or 95, keeping your hands clean can help you avoid contracting and spreading infections. This is all the more necessary in hospitals where maintaining the highest standards for hand hygiene is a cornerstone of proper patient care.
With its campaign, the WHO reminds us all, from doctors to hospital visitors, that very small things can alter the course of a patient’s recovery. In Europe, for example, 4.6% to 9.3% of patients are affected by healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) that can be transmitted both through direct or indirect contact. Worldwide, hundreds of millions of patients are affected by HCAIs each year.
This is why hand hygiene is so critical. A rigorous routine – involving the use of disinfectant hand wash and alcohol-based hand rub formulations – is highly recommended. It is proven that they provide a superior method of microbial control.
Hand Hygiene Day is also an excellent reminder that infection prevention starts at home. Thanks to simple steps, we can all make sure that our loved ones stay healthy.
