Science has proved the benefits of hand hygiene; however, in clinical routine, compliance with hygiene protocols often lacks. In a 2019 publication , the Geneva-based “Infection Prevention and Control” (IPC) think tank headed by Didier Pittet identifies implementation skills training as the most important element in teaching hygiene practices.
Designing hygiene measures in a targeted manner is an effective tool against hospital-acquired infections.
How to train the correct wiping technique for surface disinfection and make disinfection gaps visible? This film answers these questions and also provides some helpful inspiration for your next hygiene training session.
Professor Didier Pittet serves as the director of the Infection Control Programme at the University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine. He was also the lead adviser of World Health Organization’s First Global Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Safer Care.
Hand hygiene: Benefits and risks of remanent active ingredients in alcohol-based hand disinfectants. Teaser: In addition to containing alcohol, some commonly used hand disinfectants also contain remanent active substances such as chlorhexidine (CHG), mecetronium ethylsulfate (MES) or ortho-phenylphenol (OPP) to improve the sustained activity. However, according to scientific evidence, remanent active ingredients offer no benefit, neither for hygienic nor for surgical hand disinfection – but pose risks to skin health. The current recommendations “Händehygiene in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens” (Hand hygiene in healthcare facilities) and “Prävention postoperativer Wundinfektionen” (Prevention of surgical site infection) issued by the “Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention” (abbr.: KRINKO; German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention) therefore advise against using hand disinfectants containing remanent active ingredients.
For the success of hygienic hand disinfection, it is essential that the hands are rubbed without leaving any gaps in coverage. This film demonstrates the correct procedure as well as the use of the Dermalux Box to check the result.
L&R Prevent & Protect is intended to keep those in charge of hygiene in the healthcare sector up to date with articles on current research in the fields of hygiene , microbiology and epidemiology. We use scientific studies and complement them with practice-based guidelines , we research helpful facts and report on best-practice experiences of hygiene experts. Our databases on clinically relevant pathogens as well as on basic terms of hygiene and disinfection are updated on an ongoing basis. And we offer helpful and comprehensive information for daily routine in infection prevention .
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