Minister for Health marks World Hand Hygiene Day

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is marking World Hand Hygiene Day (Sunday 5 May). Ireland supports this international initiative, led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Regular, correct hand hygiene is one of the most important and simple things that we can do to protect our health. The theme of this year's global initiative is promoting knowledge and capacity building of health and care workers through innovative and impactful training and education, on infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene. The slogan for this year's global initiative is "Why is sharing knowledge about hand hygiene still so important? Because it helps stop the spread of harmful germs in health care".

Cleaning hands regularly is one of the most effective ways of stopping the spread of many common infections, including COVID-19. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the World Health Organisation (WHO). In October 2005, the WHO and its partners launched the first Global Patient Safety Challenge with the theme "Clean Care is Safer Care" with the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare available.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said:

"I would like to echo the WHO focus on cleaning our hands. In recent years it has become evident to all the importance of hand hygiene. Clean hands lead not just to better and safer care for patients and families, but also protect health and social care workers."

Chief Nursing Officer, Rachel Kenna, said:

"I would like to emphasise that washing your hands regularly is the single most effective way of stopping the spread of many infections. I would encourage everyone, staff, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings to practice effective hand hygiene."

Dr. Eimear Brannigan, HSE Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Team, said:

"Good hand hygiene plays an important role in preventing the spread of infection. World Hand Hygiene Day is an opportunity to reinforce how vitally important it is that we continually prioritise hand hygiene, share information and resources and ensure that everyone understands how they can help reduce the spread of infection in a healthcare setting or in their own home."

Notes

Further information on World Hand Hygiene Day: World Hand Hygiene Day 2024 (who.int).

Further information on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Ireland's second One Health National Action Plan on AMR 2021-2025: www.gov.ie/amr.

Further information on: WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs)

HCAIs are infections that develop either as a direct result of healthcare interventions such as medical or surgical treatment, or from being contact with a healthcare setting. Many HCAIs are preventable. A healthcare system has a duty to prevent HCAIs to the greatest practical extent.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) is a strategic objective of Ireland's second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2021-2025 which was published in November 2021. IPC is a key enabler to delivery of safe health and social care, including prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs). It is also recognised as an area of focus in the WHO Global Patient Safety Strategy2021-2030. Ireland takes an evidence-based approach to IPC practices and the National Clinical Guideline were published were launched in May 2023 to support best practice in this area.