Nosocomial Infections

Nosocomial infections cost $3.5 billion dollars per year and affects approximately 2 million patients annually in acute care facilities. While the incidence of nosocomial infection has decreased since the advent of HIP (Hospital Infection Program) in the early 1970’s, APIC and other infection control measures in hospitals and long-term care facilities, there is still room for improvement.

The message for teaching hand washing to healthcare professionals is scientifically sound but the message is still not being integrated into the behaviors of ALL healthcare professionals. A new approach to educating healthcare professionals and impacting their behavior in a constructive manner is to teach healthcare professionals how to teach patients these techniques. The use of the “stick” has not worked to date.

We would now like to introduce you to Henry the Hand. Henry, using a multimedia, positive message “that sticks” to both children and adults.  As long as healthcare professionals are being instructed that this program is to teach patients (children and other adults) about hand washing/hand awareness and its role in the spread of disease. Henry the Hand’s approach is: keep it simple, make it fun and make it more memorable and people are more likely to embrace and promote the message. 

See the Champion Handwasher Hospital Campaign Kit Instructions to get started.