8/10/2021
Hand hygiene: Staff Clinic scoop KPCC IPC trophy
PHOTO | PETTERSON NJOGU KPCC Nursing and Clinical services manager Ms. Doris Kimbui presents this year’s IPC trophy to Staff Clinic team member
By Petterson Njogu Kenyatta Prime Care Centre Infection Prevention and Control Unit (IPC) held its annual IPC trophy presentation to the best department/ unit in hand hygiene within KPCC. In an event presided over by Dr. Kinuthia, Kenyatta National Hospital IPC Coordinator, this year’s trophy went to Staff Clinic; after coming top as best unit at last year’s hand hygiene competition. Previously, the trophy was held by KPCC New Born Unit (NBU). Hand hygiene is the act of cleaning one’s hands with soap and water to remove viruses, bacteria, microorganisms, dirt or other harmful substances stuck to the hands. 2020-2021 theme of the hand hygiene campaign is, “The 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene”. “Our mandate is to promote the adherence to IPC standards and precautions whilst building capacity in all aspects of IPC practices”, said Dr. Kinuthia. “I’m glad KPCC has thought of recognizing the best unit in this regard” she added. Hands are the main pathways of transmitting microorganisms during healthcare delivery, and handwashing goes a long way in assisting the caregivers in minimizing the risk of transmission of bacteria between the health worker and the patient.
Ms. Doris Kimbui, KPCC Nursing and Clinical Services Manager, while congratulating Ms. Teresia NzomoStaff Clinic team leader also called upon everyone to take personal initiative in the whole process of handwashing. “Our commitment is to ensure an infection-free environment and that requires all of us. We want to create a lasting behaviour change in embracing hand hygiene in the Hospital,” said Ms. Kimbui. Research done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Control (PC) indicates that 80% of infections can be prevented by a single act of hand hygiene. Thousands of patients die every day around the world from infections acquired while receiving healthcare. Hand hygiene
ISSUE 21 | Kenyatta National Hospital Newsline
is, therefore, the most important measure to curb this. KPCC IPC Coordinator Ms. Janet Mumo emphasized why hand hygiene comes in handy in the fight against Covid-19. “With Coronavirus being a droplet infection, hand hygiene plays a key role in breaking the chain of infection,” said Ms. Mumo. She concluded by stressing on:
PHOTO | PETTERSON NJOGU KNH Infection Prevention Unit HOD Dr. Kinuthia (Centre) during a photo session with other KPCC members present during the event
The Five Moments for Hand Hygiene which include: 1. Before touching a patient 2. Before a procedure 3. After a procedure or body fluids risk 4. After touching a patient 5. After touching a patient’s surroundings.
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