Doha - Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has launched a nine-day 'Clean hands, Save lives" campaign. The campaign was formally inaugurated by Mohamed Ali Jassim, Administrator, Hamad General Hospital (HGH), at a function held at the main entrance of the hospital, yesterday.
Addressing the function, Gail Smith, Senior Assistant Director of Nursing, Hamad Inpatient Area, said the targetted group of the campaign include patients, their families and the health providers.
"Across the world, an estimated 97,000 people die because of hospital acquired infections. Studies have proved that many of these lives could have been saved if there was a proper hand hygiene mechanism," she said.
The campaign will have its focus on the importance of hand hygiene and risk of not implementing measures.
"The most ideal way to ensure your hands are clean is to use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Hands must be rubbed over until they are dry, wash with soap and warm water and lather over all parts of hands and fingers for 15 seconds and dry hands well with paper towel," said Mohammed Barmaki, Clinical Instructor, Hand Hygiene Campaign, Coordinator, HGH.
"To avoid cross infection, hands must be free of potential pathogens while providing hands-on patient care.
Alcohol hand rub is the most effective way to clean hands. The antiseptic hand rub that contain 60 per cent alcohol is highly effective against pathogenic germs. Use it and rub out almost 90 per cent of existing germs on you hands. The Hand hygiene campaign team will visit all HGH departments and units," he added.
© The Peninsula 2006
