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Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for surgery or illness? Have you ever caught an infection unrelated to your surgery or illness? If so, you have been the victim of a nosocomial infection also known as hospital-acquired infections.
C. difficile, MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), are well known, but there are many others.
Do you know that you have more chances to die from a nosocomial infection than from a car accident?
Every year in Quebec, 90 000 people are afflicted by these infections and, of that number, 4000 die immediately.
A minimum of 50% of these infections could be avoided by better prevention and control measures such as strict hand hygiene.
Nosocomial infections are also very costly to the health system. On average they cost 180 millions dollars yearly.
By joining ADVIN you contribute to the promotion of safe care and quality hospitals.
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FRANCE PROMOTES NATIONAL HAND CLEANLINESS DAY |
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Written by Christine Besson
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
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ON May 23rd, 2008, the French Ministry of Health launched a national hand cleanliness campaign targeting health care workers, patients, and the general public. The campaign emphasizes that proper hand hygiene is the key element in preventing and controlling nosocomial infections.
It is critical that a through cleansing of one’s hands with a liquid alcohol solution containing an emollient to protect the skin precedes all health care treatments, no matter where they are carried out. All health care establishments throughout the country should see to it that these solutions are available at patient’s bed. Health care workers would also be required to carry a small bottle of disinfectant in the pockets of their uniform.
Effective prevention requires that all jewelry such as rings, bracelets and necklaces be banned in hospitals and clinics. Healthcare worker’s fingernails must be kept short and devoid of fingernail polish. Fake fingernails and jewelry that pierces the skin are virtual bacteria traps and should also be banned. Hair is to be worn short or tied back so as not to come into contact with patients or medical instruments.
Health care workers in particular must be made aware of the importance of hand washing in infection prevention. Bacteria tests and controls have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of proper hand cleanliness.
It is also important to note that 75% of NI’s can be prevented by hand washing and by limiting the use of antibiotics. |
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