ADVIN.ORG - Association for the Défense of Victims of Nosocomial Infections

Wearing of gloves reduces transmission of organisms by healthcare workers'hands but is not a substitue for hand hygiene. A recent study reveals disapointing hand hygiene compliance:glove use was strongly associated with lowew levels of hand hygiene.The rate of hand hygiene with gloves use was 41,4% and the rate without gloves use was 50%.

North Carolina Health Center, Cone Health,  announced a «dramatic reduction in healthcare-acquired infection (HAIs) rates after implementing an infection prevention program which includes Xenex room disinfection systems.»MRSA infection have been reduced to zero and the organisation saved an estimated $2.3 million in infections-associated hospital costs.

Many healthcare workers, particularly nurses, often complain that hand hygiene is a nightmare for their hands, leaving the skin in a bad condition. However, a recent study gives a total different light on the subject:
«The use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions (ABHRSs) in health care settings has been associated with increased hand hygiene compliance and reduced rates of nosocomial infection.ABHRSs are well tolerated and do not dry the skin. pH and superficial sebum values decreased slightly, but these decreases did not affect skin barrier function.» Read more in Infection Control Today web magazine.

A recent WHO report on the Burden of Health Care-Associated Infections estimates that such infections affect hundreds of millions of people globally. The burden is at least twice as high in developing countries compared to developed countries. In many cases, this harm is preventable. WHO's Patient Safety Programme (formerly the World Alliance for Patient Safety) was established in 2004 to coordinate, facilitate and accelerate patient safety improvements around the world.  In its first seven years, the programme has stimulated global awareness and knowledge about the importance of patient safety towards building and maintaining effective health systems and services.