Good hand hygiene is one of the easiest ways to help reduce the spread of potentially harmful germs. Increasing awareness amongst healthcare professionals, patients and visitors to healthcare establishments of the risks leading to outbreaks of infection can reduce healthcare-associated infections and increase patient safety.
Brussels, 5 May 2009 - The World Health Organization (WHO) is today hosting the "Save Lives: Clean Your Hands" day, a global hand hygiene awareness initiative to help save lives by reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in healthcare settings. Through the year, healthcare facilities have had the opportunity to register their interest. Over to 4350 hospitals from 112 countries are today taking part in this initiative to fight HCAIs. In order to help them to implement the right measures, the WHO has also published today a revised version of its Hand Hygiene Toolkit.
"Those infections cost each year €5.5bn in the EU and affect between 8-12% patients" says John Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Eucomed. "Raising awareness on the positive impact of good hand hygiene is important in the fight for HCAIs. However, it is not the only factor which can improve the current situation. The medical technology industry also has a big role to play in the reduction of healthcare associated infections. Many devices are specifically designed to minimise the chances of infection. Policy-makers in Europe should therefore prioritise the use of modern medical technology that incorporates these design features to reduce risks for both patients and healthcare staff." The reuse of single-use devices should also be avoided as it is an important cause of the spread of infections in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Eucomed is the Voice of the medical technology industry in Europe. Eucomed represents directly and indirectly 4500 designers, manufacturers and suppliers of medical technology used in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and amelioration of disease and disability. Small and medium sized companies make up more than 80% of this sector. The European medical technology industry invests some €5.8 billion in R&D and employs near to 530,000 highly skilled workers. The mission of Eucomed is to improve patient and clinician access to modern, innovative and reliable medical technology.
Mark Grossien
Director Communications and External Affairs
mark.grossien(at)eucomed(dot)be
+32 (0)2.775.92.24
