At the recent Infection Prevention conference in Liverpool, Shirley Bishop of the Wellington hospital, London and Chris Head from Northampton General hospital NHS Trust, were announced as the joint winners of the schülke Hand Hygiene Champion of 2012 awards.
The three judges Julie Storr, (then Vice President, now President of the IPS), Rose Gallagher (Nurse Adviser for Infection Prevention and Control at the Royal College of Nursing) and Annette Jeanes, (Director of Infection Prevention and Control at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust) scored the entries against a set of key parameters. These included innovation, engagement, results and ‘going the extra mile’. Shirley and Chris both scored the same number of marks, as did the two runners up Joanne Dunmore (South Tees hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and Ann Higgins (Mater hospital, Ireland).
Shirley Bishop was nominated by her colleague Sarah Ross for her work in ‘creating an environment where everyone is talking about hand hygiene’.
In September 2011, Shirley undertook a local observational audit of hand hygiene to establish compliance to the WHO 5 moments of Hand Hygiene. Her audit showed that although staff knew how to decontaminate their hands, only 27% of staff observed knew when to decontaminate according to the ‘5 Moments’.
All staff were encouraged to approach their colleagues to ask them to use alcohol foam or wash their hands at the point of care. By March 2012, staff across the Wellington Hospital Campus had achieved 92% compliance to the ‘5 moments’.
The judges praised Shirley’s ‘great skill in engaging staff at all levels. Her enthusiasm for hand hygiene makes a subject that some find dreary, interesting and relevant. Audit results show what a great job she and the team she has motivated, have done to improve patient care.’
Nominated by his colleague Wendy Foster Chris Head has been highly proactive in his role as an Infection Prevention and Control link person providing an important and effective link between the Infection Prevention and Control Team and the ward staff. He has educated many staff on the Emergency Admissions Unit (EAU) about the importance of effective hand- hygiene. Chris developed his own Powerpoint presentation which aims to improve awareness and knowledge of the importance of hand washing in reducing the risks of cross-infection. Chris also teaches hand hygiene to members of his local St Johns Ambulance group, which includes children from the ages of 7 to 16 years.
The judging panel were impressed with Chris’s ‘enthusiasm and passion for reducing the risk of infection and ensuring that the patient’s journey through the Trust is as safe as possible.’
The search for the 2013 schülke Hand Hygiene Champion will begin soon. Further details will be announced shortly.
Schülke & Mayr UK Ltd, Cygnet House, 1 Jenkin Road, Sheffield, S9 1AT
www.schulke.co.uk
