May 7, 2012 — The United Kingdom-based National Patient Safety Agency‘s CleanYourHands campaign has dramatically reduced hospital acquired infection (HAI) rates, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal.
The campaign, launched in England and Wales in 2004, uses posters and regular audits to reinforce proper hand hygiene to hospital staff, patients, and visitors. Researchers studying the results of the campaign found that cases of MRSA decreased almost 85 percent and reports of C. difficile were down 67 percent since 2007, according to a press release by British Cleaning Council. The study also found that hospital orders for soap and hand sanitizers have nearly tripled over the same time frame.
About the British Cleaning Council
The British Cleaning Council was established in 1982 to coordinate the affairs of the UK cleaning industry and to be responsible at home and abroad on industry matters. For more information, visit www.britishcleaningcouncil.org.
