Semmelweis and RED NOSES Cooperation
For this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day, we were particularly pleased to cooperate with the Red Noses Clowndoctors, who spread our message in a humorous way in hospitals.
The Semmelweis Reflex: When beliefs trump facts
The knee-jerk reaction to reject new evidence because it contradicts established beliefs is named after Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865). The physician discovered a visionary way to save countless lives – only to have his own life destroyed when his theories were ridiculed. Imagine the Viennese general hospital in the 1840s: The biggest medical institution in […]
(c) freepik.com | user18526052Hand hygiene compliance is the key in neonatology units: General Hospital Vienna relies on modern technology for performance feedback
On a global scale, infections are the third leading cause of neonatal mortality. Therefore, a focus on careful hand hygiene practice plays a valuable part in infection prevention strategy, especially at the newborn ward. In the neonatology unit of the General Hospital Vienna/Medical University Vienna, an evidence-based, AI-enhanced quality assurance system provides immediate visual feedback […]
(c) Pixaby CaniceusHistory of Hand Hygiene
The “International Day of Hand Hygiene” on May 5 was initiated by the World Health Organization in 2009. Since then the WHO campaign emphasizes hand disinfection as the most effective single measure to break the chain of infection. This may seem like common sense to many people today, yet it wasn’t until the mid-19th century […]
FreepikCoronavirus disease (COVID-19)
In times of COVID-19 (corona virus), the hand hygiene required by the Semmelweis Foundation is even more crucial. The most important and effective preventive measure is a good and correct hand hygiene. In addition, correct coughing (in the crook of the arm, not in the hand) is helpful to prevent an infection. Since the endangered […]
FreepikSurveillance in public health
According to World Health Organization, WHO, public health surveillance is the continuous, systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data which is needed for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. Rapid technological progress and social development in a globalised world can create new health risks. For example, natural catastrophes or the emergence […]
Wound infections after surgery: Which bundle of measures are effective?
At the end of 2019, the roundtable on “Wound infections after surgery: Which bundle of measures are effective?” of the “Initative Sicherheit im OP” (Initiative for Safety in the Operating Room) took place in Vienna. At the round table, which was organised jointly with the “Plattform Patientensicherheit” (Patient Safety Platform), experts from various disciplines and […]
Semmelweis FoundationPatient empowerment in infection prevention: We all desire simple cooking recipe solutions – but they simply do not exist
Healthcare germs are posing an ever-increasing hazard. Measures to control and prevent their transmission to patients are primarily concentrated on the medical staff today. However, the idea of involving the patient into preventive safety activities such as adhering to certain rules is increasing. “Regretfully, the matter is more complex than assumed”, says Ojan Assadian, President […]
Semmelweis_FoundationKeeping it sanitary – from Semmelweis’ time until today
The Swiss expert Prof. Dr. Didier Pittet stressed the substantial meaning of hand hygiene in hospitals once again at the third CEE Conference on Hospital Hygiene and Patient Safety. Not paying attention to the field of hospital hygiene can lead to disastrous impacts. Prof. Dr. Didier Pittet, Director of the Infection Control Programme and WHO […]
BKA AignerThe WHO guidelines are clear – we just have to implement them!
“I wish that we soon do not need the Hand Hygiene Day anymore“- This was one of the audience’s statements at the symposium on the occasion of the International Hand Hygiene Day (5th May). Although there are a lot of enthusiasts, we are still far away from achieving this goal. The symposium, hosted by the […]