Media Alert
October 14, 2016
Southern DHB to help ‘Break the Chain of Infection’
Infection Prevention Week: 16 – 22 October
The simple act of cleaning your hands can save lives and Southern DHB is supporting Infection Prevention and Control
week (IPC) to spread this message from October 16 – 22.
The 2016 theme for IPC Week is ‘Break the Chain of Infection’, with the key message that public and healthcare
professionals can prevent the spread of infection by washing their hands.
“The best way patients, family and visitors can help stop the spread of infections is by cleaning your hands and asking
everyone around you to do the same,” says Southern DHB Charge Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Jo
Stodart. “Hand hygiene is critical in saving lives.”
Southern DHB will also be providing practical information about hand hygiene and wearing gloves. “If gloves are not
changed when they should be, they can cause the spread of infection,” says Mrs Stodart. “It’s important to know that
gloves don’t provide complete protection from hand contamination.”
In New Zealand the IPC programme is managed by the Health Quality and Safety Commission (HQSC). The latest figures by
the HQSC show that Southern DHB is achieving 83 percent hand hygiene compliance in the latest Hand Hygiene New Zealand
(HHNZ) audit.
“The figures reflect our ongoing dedication and commitment to the welfare of patients and the public.”
As well as raising awareness to patients and families, the DHB has activities planned including quizzes, hand hygiene
training sessions and a display in the Dunedin and Southland hospital.
International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) occurs globally from October 16 -22.
ENDS