GENEVA, Nov. 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Half the people in the world can
look forward to cleaner and safer care and a lowered risk of becoming ill
with an infection as a result of their health care. That is because they live
in countries whose governments have pledged to become part of a worldwide
movement to address health-care associated infections under the Global
Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Safer Care.
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/20061102095006-51.jpg )
A total of 22 countries representing 55% of the world's population have
signed on to the Global Patient Safety Challenge since it was launched by the
World Health Organization World Alliance for Patient Safety in October 2005.
On 10 November, 13 more countries -- Australia, Belgium, Bhutan,
Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Germany, Kenya, Finland, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sudan,
Uganda and the United States- will pledge commitment to the initiative.
Seven countries and regions -- Bangladesh, Hong Kong SAR, China, Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) States, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain- will
report on their first year of achievements.
At any given moment some 1.4 million people worldwide are ill because of
infections acquired in hospitals. In developed countries the toll is 5% to
10% of patients. In some developing countries, as many as a quarter of
patients may be affected.
"We can reduce these numbers dramatically, and more and more countries
are showing they are ready to take action. With the help of WHO and other
partners these countries are laying the foundations for patients everywhere
to receive cleaner, safer care", said Dr Anders Nordstrom, Acting Director-
General of WHO.
One of the most powerful approaches to fighting health care-related
infection is also the simplest: healthcare providers need to clean their
hands every time they see a patient.
Many countries have already substantially improved hand hygiene practices
among health professionals. During a recent four-month hand hygiene campaign
in Switzerland, for example, compliance with good practices increased 25%
among doctors and nurses working in two cantonal hospitals. Based on the
results of that study it has been estimated that the Swiss could avert 17 000
nosocomial infections each year if hospitals nationwide achieved comparable
improvements. "With 33 countries committing to 'Clean Care is Safer Care'
over the last year, we have proof of the global political commitment to
dramatically reduce deaths and suffering from infections acquired in health
care facilities. I urge countries throughout the world to follow the example
of those who have already committed to "Clean Care is Safer Care," Sir Liam
Donaldson, Chair of the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety and Chief
Medical Officer for England.
Hand hygiene remains the primary measure to reduce health care-associated
infection and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, stressed Professor
Didier Pittet, Leader of the Global Patient Safety Challenge and Director of
the Infection Control Programme at Geneva's University Hospitals. "It
enhances the safety of care across all settings, from complex, modern
hospitals to simple health posts".
Editor's note: Progress report on 22 countries participating in "Clean
Care is Safer Care".
Bahrain, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong SAR, China, Malaysia, the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland are running hospital hand hygiene campaigns and made an
alcohol hand rub available at the point of care to ensure hand hygiene can
occur quickly and easily.
The Netherlands, the Russian Federation, and United Arab Emirates have
set up national committees on infection control.
Bangladesh, Belarus, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of
Moldova, the Philippines, Slovenia and Tajikistan recently committed their
countries to addressing healthcare-associated infection.
All WHO Press Releases, Fact Sheets and Features as well as other
information on this subject can be obtained on Internet on the WHO home page:
http://www.who.int/ .
