Keeping patients and staff healthy in, and out, of hospital
Waitemata DHB has one of the highest rates of hand washing compliance in the country.
Latest national figures show there are roughly 5000 situations each day where staff must clean their hands to avoid
causing potential harm to patients.
The figures were produced as a part of national review of hand hygiene ‘moments’.
Waitemata DHB was found to have one of the highest rates of hygiene best practice compliance – an endorsement of its
strong focus on hand washing and its drive to achieve better outcomes for its patients.
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are a significant problem worldwide, affecting up to 10 per cent of patients
admitted to modern hospitals.
Hand hygiene is considered to be one of the most important measures in the fight against HAIs and Waitemata DHB has made
education a priority for its staff, patients and visitors.
Posters, dispensers and reminder notices are placed at multiple strategic points throughout its hospitals and regular
awareness campaigns keep it at the forefront of daily best practice.
Waitemata DHB has achieved sustained success with compliance over several years as a result.
“When most people think of hand hygiene they think of food preparation, but most germs that cause serious infections in
hospitals are spread by people’s actions,” Waitemata DHB’s Infection Control team leader Poobie Pillay says.
“These germs can include viruses spread by physical contact and surgical site infections, all of which are preventable
if patients, visitors, and our staff follow simple but vitally important hand washing procedures.”
“Proper hand hygiene is a vital part of making patient health our main priority, with record numbers of patients and
family members visiting our hospitals there has never been a greater need for action.”
ENDS