ADVIN (Association for the Defense of Victims of Nosocomial Infections - health care associated infections) invites you to note this call for improved hand hygiene initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In the sophisticated world of medical techniques that save lives, it is easily forgotten that infections remain killers and one of the major health hazards: the current episode of swine flu is a real wake up call to this reality.
Hand washing with soap and water or hydro alcoholic solutions is the single most important strategy in preventing infections.
For those still doubting the efficiency of such a simple action, Le Gardeur Hospital washing hands task force confirms the following evidence: «After one year of systematic hand washing of all hospitalized patients as well as patients in emergency wards and all health staff with a hydro alcoholic solution twice a day, seven days a week supervised by a team of 4 staff members, the global incidence of MRSA(1) infections has dropped by 51%. Moreover, the incidence of severe MRSA infections has dropped by 80%. This drop in MRSA infections saved in one year 971 356$ of public funds. The total cost of the hand washing program was 170 000$ for the one year period » said Dr Pierre-Jean Maziade, Le Gardeur Hospital.
Simple measures, strong results!
Health-care associated-infections facts:
- 1out of 9 patient contracts an infection caused by health care, for a total of 90 000 victims in Québec only.
- Health-care-associated infections are the 4th cause of death in Canada
- National Infectious Disease Day,Ottawa 2008
- CUPE report on Health-care-associated infections
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