PA Patient Safety Authority Supports “Clean Hands Week” September 21-27, 2008

HARRISBURG: The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority supports “Clean Hands Week,” September 21-27, 2008. The Authority has received thousands of reports including deaths related to infections that may have been prevented by following proper hand washing protocols.

Reports received by the Authority include infections related to Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a type of bacteria that people can acquire during a hospital stay, visit to outpatient treatment centers and in the community. MRSA provides a challenge for treatment due to limited antibiotic options. Proper hand hygiene plays an important role in reducing the risk of infection in healthcare facilities and the community, as most bacteria are spread from person to person via hands.

“Handwashing and alcohol-based sanitizers are proven methods to combat the overall spread of infection to patients,” Mike Doering, executive director of the Patient Safety Authority said. “Healthcare facilities should provide the necessary items for caregivers and visitors to wash or sanitize their hands and patients are encouraged to remind caregivers to do so before and after care.”

Doering said MRSA was highlighted in a Patient Safety Advisory article in December 2007 with consumer tips offered for patients to protect themselves from this often deadly infection.

For more information on MRSA and the consumer tips sheet for preventing infections at home or in the hospital go to www.patientsafetyauthority.org, click on “Consumer Tips.”

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