Hand hygiene saves lives - Sharing innovative experiences for hand hygiene in healthcare in the Americas

World Hand Hygiene Day 2024 
 

 Context

World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated every year on 5 May to raise global awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare and to unite people in support of improving hand hygiene worldwide.

This event, organized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will underscore the commitment to promoting knowledge and innovative experiences and contributing to capacity building on hand hygiene. Considering that hand hygiene saves lives, prevents the spread of infectious diseases during healthcare, and is the most cost-effective measure to achieve public health goals.

 Objectives

• Promote and share innovative experiences on hand hygiene in healthcare settings.
• Encourage when and how to perform hand hygiene in healthcare.
• Raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene to help save the lives of our loved ones and people in vulnerable situations.

 Audience

The event is aimed at healthcare professionals, healthcare workers, caregivers, public health authorities, health policy makers, and anyone interested in promoting effective hand hygiene practices in healthcare settings.

 Date

Friday, 3 May, 2024

 Time

10:00 am – 11:00 am (EDT)

 Recording

Watch the video with original audio

 Agenda

•  Welcome Remarks 
  • Dr. Pilar Ramon-Pardo, Head of the Special Program on Antimicrobial Resistance, PAHO/WHO
• Video - message for World Hand Hygiene Day.
  • Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director OPS/OMS
     
• Audience survey (Zoom poll) 
  • Dr. Blanca Peñaloza, Consultant. Quality of care in health systems and services. PAHO/WHO 
• Train the Trainers: Guide to Best Environmental Hygiene Practices for Prevention of Infections in Health Care Facilities
  • Barbados - Nurse. Alvin Hart, Infection Prevention and Control Officer, long-term care geriatric facilities. Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness.
     
• Multimodal Hand Hygiene Strategy in the Reina Sofía Clinics
  of Colombia
  • Colombia - Nurse. Maria T. Contreras. Epidemiology Specialist at the Colsanitas Reina Sofía Clinics, Department of Infectious Diseases.
     
• Hand hygiene training in the context of mobile hospitals deployed in disaster areas
  • Mr. Andres Sanz. Expert in operational support and strengthening of emergency medical teams. Consultant, Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) PAHO/WHO.
     
• Closing Remarks
  • Dr. Pilar Ramon-Pardo, Head of the Special Program on Antimicrobial Resistance, PAHO/WHO