Good hand hygiene essential in battle against health care-associated infections
EDMONTON, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Some 220,000 Canadians are sickened every year with an infection they pick up in a hospital or health-care facility. About 8,000 of those patients die each year as a result1.
In a world increasingly preoccupied with the spread of disease and infection, the basic act of cleaning your hands remains the single most effective known pathogen prevention process. Studies show proper hand hygiene has the potential to reduce by half the incidence of health care-acquired infections across this country. Yet optimal hand hygiene compliance practice in Canadian health care facilities is considered to be less than 40 per cent.
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada) are dedicating the last two weeks of October to promote action to reduce the number of Canadians who get sick when visiting a hospital or health-care facility.
"We understand that spreading the message of hand hygiene in a busy environment can be difficult" says Hugh MacLeod, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. "But the role of proper hand hygiene in preventing the spread of drug resistant germs has never been more important in our health care facilities. 'Clean your hands' is something we've all heard growing up, but in today's world it's something that can't be stated often enough."
Patient safety and quality improvements will be the focus of a two-day conference in Edmonton Oct. 28 and 29, hosted by CPSI, that is expected to draw more than 200 doctors, nurses, health executives and patient advocates from across Canada.
Anne Lyddiatt, an Ontario member of Patients for Patient Safety Canada whose daughter Jeri-Joann experienced many adverse events in health care facilities, including two debilitating bouts of C. difficile diarrhea, prior to her death in 2011, says: "Although I've learned that terrible adverse events can happen, I've also learned that some good things can happen too. We just need to concentrate and work more on having good things happen. Putting the effort into proper hand hygiene is a crucial way to help to keep family members safe."
CPSI is committed to working with partners in accelerating safety improvements in infection prevention and control, while also focusing on medication safety, surgical care safety, and home care safety.
IPAC Canada has declared Oct. 20-24 National Infection Control Week to promote the message in hospitals, long term care facilities and the community that an effective infection prevention and control program can be as simple as soap and water or alcohol based hand rub, but it is most effective when everyone makes the effort.
About Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and Canadian Patient Safety Week
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is an independent not-for-profit organization that exists to raise awareness and facilitate implementation of ideas and best practices to achieve a transformation in patient safety. Funded by Health Canada, CPSI reflects the desire to close the gap between the healthcare we have and the healthcare we deserve.
www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca
CPSW is a national annual campaign started in 2005 to inspire extraordinary improvement in patient safety and quality. For more information on Canadian Patient Safety Week 2014, happening October 27th – 31st and to view this year's campaign, visit www.asklistentalk.ca.
About Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC Canada) and National Infection Control Week
IPAC Canada, formerly CHICA–Canada, is a national, multi-disciplinary, voluntary association of Infection Prevention and Control Professionals (ICPs) with 21 chapters across the country dedicated to the health of Canadians by promoting excellence in the practice of infection prevention and control.
www.ipac-canada.org
NICW originated in 1988 to highlight infection control efforts in Canadian hospitals, long-term care facilities and in the community. For more information on National Infection Control Week, please visit www.ipac-online.com/news_icweek.php.
1 Zoutman, D., Ford, B., Bryce, E., Gourdeau, M., Hébert, G., Henderson, E., & Paton, S. (2003). The state of infection surveillance and control in Canadian acute care hospitals. American Journal Of Infection Control, 31(5), 266-273.
SOURCE: Canadian Patient Safety Institute
CPSI Media Contact, Cecilia Bloxom, Director, Strategic Communications, CPSI, 780-700-8642, [email protected]; IPAC Canada Media Contact, Gerry Hansen (Ms), Executive Director, IPAC Canada, 204-897-5990 / 1-866-999-7111, [email protected]
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