With the focus on sepsis, this year's World Hand Hygiene Day addresses one of the most common causes of death around the globe.
Sepsis: A fatal risk
Accounting for around 31 million infections and 5 million deaths per year, sepsis ranks among the most frequent causes of death throughout the world 2. Whether due to a surgical procedure or a supposedly harmless injury: every infection can develop into a blood poisoning. One key to prevent this dangerous illness therefore is to prevent the preceding nosocomial infection - for example through hygiene measures, such as hand disinfection. The reason: experts assume that up to 90 % of all pathogens are transmitted via the hands and estimate that one out of three hospital infections can be prevented by hand hygiene measures 3, 4.
It is in your hands: Measures for improved hand hygiene
Efficient hand hygiene can prevent the transmission of pathogens - and thus also nosocomial infections that may develop into a dangerous sepsis. Take charge of hand hygiene now: with these two approaches for a sustainably enhanced hand hygiene compliance.
Use an alcohol-based hand disinfectant with replenishing properties
- State of the art: according to the World Health Organization (WHO) alcohol-based rubs are the gold standard in hand hygiene and an effective weapon against the transmission of pathogens 5
- Sterillium®, the pioneer among the alcohol-based hand disinfectants, convinces with more than 50 years of user experience
- Achieving 30 % more skin hydration with regular use, Sterillium® offers best compliance opportunities
- Rapid and comprehensive antimicrobial activity combined with good skin tolerability - even with long-term use
Establish optimised working processes for more success with hand hygiene
- Healthcare workers learn the necessary hygiene measures through the example of a concrete work process and thus gain experience and certainty
- A standardised process for placing a peripheral venous catheter could increase the compliance by 45 % and thus considerably reduce the risk of sepsis 6
Have a try now: Learn how to reduce the risk of sepsis by a standardised working process
Already officially registered?
Become part of a global movement against sepsis - 20 465 facilities around the globe already participate!
- Be a pioneer in hand hygiene - for your patients
- Share your successes and challenges with other participants
- Learn from other health experts' experience
Sources:
- World Health Organization. Health care without avoidable infections. The critical role of infection prevention and control. 2016
- https://www.global-sepsis-alliance.org/news/2017/5/26/wha-adopts-resolution-on-sepsis (accessed on 16 March 2018)
- Kramer, A.; Händehygiene - Patienten- und Personalschutz; GMS Krankenhaushyg Interdiszip 2006;1(1):Doc14
- https://www.bvmed.de/de/bvmed/presse/pressemeldungen/bvmed-hygieneforum-2012-mit-konsequenten-hygienemassnahmen-sind-rund-30-prozent-aller-krankenhausinfektionen-vermeidbar (accessed on 26 March 2018).
- World Health Organization, WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. First Global Safety Challenge Clean Care is Safer Care. 2009.
- Kampf, G. et al. Improving patient safety during insertion of peripheral venous catheters: an observational intervention study. GMS Hyg Infect Control, 2013; 8(2):Doc18.