from the editor
May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day 2021 , a day when clinicians are asked to consider their handwashing habits and reflect on ways to improve , for their patients ’ sakes ; in a pandemic , the stakes are even higher for those on the front lines of care .
This year ’ s emphasis is on achieving effective hand hygiene action at the point
Whether using soap and water to address visibly soiled hands or availing oneself of alcoholbased handrub at the POC , this commemorative day is a great time to take stock of hand hygiene habits if you are a care provider .
Time to Reflect on Hand Hygiene Habits
of care ( POC ), which as you will see in this issue ’ s major article beginning on page 14 , refers to the place where three elements come together : the patient , the healthcare worker , and care or treatment involving contact with the patient or their surroundings . The World Health Organization ( WHO ) reminds us that to prevent transmission of infectious microorganisms during healthcare delivery , hand hygiene should be performed when it is needed ( at five
•
specific moments ) and in the most effective way ( by using the right technique with readily available products ) at the point of care . A good refresher can be found in A Guide to the Implementation of the WHO Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy .
Whether using soap and water to address visibly soiled hands or availing oneself of alcohol-based handrub at the POC , this
to View A Guide to the Implementation of the WHO Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy
commemorative day is a great time to take stock of hand hygiene habits if you are a care provider . And if you are an infection preventionist or educator , it ’ s an opportune moment to conduct some rounding , make keen observations , and course-correct if you see improper technique or spot other barriers to effective hand hygiene in your institution ’ s units and departments .
Until next month , bust those bugs ! Kelly M . Pyrek Editor & Publisher kelly @ healthcarehygienemagazine . com healthcarehygienemagazine
A . G . Hettinger , CPA president & CFO
Patti Valdez art director
J . Christine Phillips customer service manager
Healthcare Hygiene magazine is published monthly by Keystone Media Inc . 1745 Shea Center Drive , Suite 400 , Highlands Ranch , CO 80129 . Free digital subscriptions available at www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com for U . S ., Canada and other foreign subscribers . Copyright © 2021 Keystone Media Inc . All rights reserved . The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial material . Advertisers , and / or their agents , assume the responsibility for all content of published advertisements and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the advertisement . Editorial contributors assume responsibility for their published works and assume responsibility for any claims against the publisher based on the published work . All items submitted to Healthcare Hygiene magazine become the sole property of Keystone Media Inc . Editorial content may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher . No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means , including information storage and retrieval systems , without permission in writing from the publisher .