World Hand Hygiene Day is observed annually on 5th May in Europe and around the world to promote the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The day is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as a reminder to individuals and healthcare workers to practice good hand hygiene.
Hand hygiene is a crucial element in preventing the transmission of infections and is essential in maintaining good health. Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way to remove germs and prevent the spread of infections. Proper hand hygiene is especially important in healthcare settings where infections can easily spread from person to person.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a significant burden on healthcare systems in Europe, with an estimated 3.2 million cases of HAI each year. Proper hand hygiene practices can prevent up to 50% of HAIs.
The WHO’s “Clean Care is Safer Care” campaign emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare settings and encourages healthcare workers to follow the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene. The Five Moments for Hand Hygiene are:
- Before touching a patient
- Before clean/aseptic procedures
- After exposure to body fluids
- After touching a patient
- After touching the patient’s surroundings
The European Union has also recognized the importance of hand hygiene and has implemented initiatives to promote hand hygiene in healthcare settings. The European Commission’s “Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections” (EU-JAMRAI) aims to reduce the incidence of HAIs and promote good hand hygiene practices.
In addition to healthcare settings, proper hand hygiene is also essential in everyday life to prevent the spread of infections. The WHO recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before and after eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
On World Hand Hygiene Day, individuals and healthcare workers are reminded of the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections. By following proper hand hygiene practices, we can all do our part in maintaining good health and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Discover Pachico® Products for Hand Hygiene:
DZF Scrub is a liquid soap and disinfectant with bactericidal and fungicidal action, available in 1L and 5L sizes.
Biocidal registration number: 0551-2/28.11.2016
AHD is a biocide with bactericidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal (HBV/HIV, Herpes simplex type 1 and 2, Rota virus), and fungicidal action. It can be used for disinfection of the skin before medical procedures, for hygiene and disinfection of hands, and for surgical hand disinfection. It is available in 1L and 5L sizes.
Biocidal registration: 0100-2/30.06.2016
AHD Gel is a disinfectant gel for hands with bactericidal, fungicidal (Candida albicans), and limited virucidal (enveloped viruses) action, available in 1L and 5L sizes.
Biocidal registration: 2735-2/14.12.2021
For orders/enquiries, contact us on office@pachico.net.