Sealed Air Corporation offers healthcare workers tips for hand hygiene in honor of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Clean Your Hands Day” celebrated on May 5.

In the United States, it is estimated that roughly 1.7 million Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), from all types of bacteria combined, cause or contribute to 99,000 deaths each year, with the annual cost ranging from $28 billion-$45 billion. In Europe, where hospital surveys have been conducted, the category of Gram-negative infections is estimated to account for two-thirds of the 25,000 deaths each year. And in other continents, especially in developing regions, the situation is certainly much more serious.

Thorough hand washing and/or use of alcohol rubs by all medical personnel in accordance with the WHO 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene is one of the most effective ways to combat nosocomial infections. The World Health Organization recommends the following “My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene.” This approach defines the key moments when health-care workers should clean their hands:
1. Before touching a patient,
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures,
3. After body fluid exposure/risk,
4. After touching a patient, and
5. After touching patient surroundings.

“Proper hand hygiene is critical to reducing the incidence of healthcare associated infections and improving patient safety,” said Dr. Ilham Kadri, president of Sealed Air’s Institutional and Laundry (I&L) business. “We are committed to create a better way for life, and hand hygiene is of critical importance to achieve this. Events like ‘Clean Your Hands Day’ allow us to create greater awareness of this important subject.”