cleanyourhands: Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections

Abstract

In the UK, healthcare associated infection is estimated to cause the deaths of 5,000 patients a year, while one in three healthcare associated infections in the UK is preventable.

cleanyourhands is an initiative in England and Wales to improve the hand hygiene of healthcare workers and help reduce the spread of preventable, healthcare-associated infections. The project was started by a government body, the National Patient Safety Agency, in 2002, and has now been adopted by all NHS acute trusts (hospitals) in England and Wales.

The cleanyourhands campaign was the first national approach to hand hygiene improvement and is cited as an example of good practice in the World Health Organization Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care.

The cornerstone of the campaign is the provision of alcohol handrub, which enables healthcare workers to de-contaminate their hands where and when they need to, even if there is no sink. A range of educational materials and prompts are also provided, to ensure healthcare workers understand the reasons behind the campaign, and are reminded to take action before every patient contact.

Delivery of the first year of the campaign for every acute trust (hospital) in England and Wales cost £490,000 ($686,000 US). Economic evaluation suggested that, even if infection rates were reduced by as little as 0.1%, the campaign would result in an overall cost saving for the NHS.

Results for all acute (hospital) trusts from 2005 to 2007 show a threefold increase in procurement of soap and alcohol handrub; 94% of hospitals providing alcohol handrub by the bedside in most wards; and 85% of hospitals considering hand hygiene a 'top priority'. Declines in MRSA bacteremia and MSSA bacteremia have also been recorded