Combatting the Spread of Healthcare-Associated Infections: The Importance of Hand Hygiene in European Hospitals

In Europe, approximately 4.3 million patients acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection during their stay in hospitals each year. This statistic underscores the urgent need to address the issue of infection prevention in healthcare settings. The “Save lives: Clean Your Hands” campaign is a global effort led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote hand hygiene among healthcare workers and patients.

By increasing adherence to hand hygiene practices, the campaign aims to reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections caused by various pathogens. These infections, including those resistant to antibiotics, are a significant public health concern in Europe. Despite the challenges posed by antibiotic resistance, a large percentage of these infections are preventable through effective hand hygiene practices.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) supports the “Save lives: Clean Your Hands” campaign and emphasizes the importance of infection prevention and control measures, particularly hand hygiene. By prioritizing these strategies, we can work together to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance and improve patient safety in healthcare settings.