AORN and 3M Collaborate on Hand Hygiene Initiative

“We are delighted to partner with AORN on this critically important issue and to help create excitement and energy around these new Recommended Practices,” said Jim Ingebrand, business director for 3M Infection Prevention. “Although proper hand hygiene may seem like a simple practice, these new protocols demonstrate how consistent and deliberate hand washing techniques can help save thousands of lives each year. 3M is pleased to partner with AORN on programs to expand awareness of the Recommended Practices for Hand Hygiene in the Perioperative Setting.”  

To engage nurses and provide a creative vehicle to visually demonstrate how they adhere to the Recommended Practices, a viral video campaign is also being launched on Dec. 1, 2009. Potential participants will develop a short original video that visually demonstrates correct hand hygiene techniques for the perioperative setting in a creative, educational and informative way.

The deadline for entry is Jan. 18, 2010, and entrants will follow criteria that include clearly demonstrating compliance to the new practices including demonstration of correct technique, thoroughness, use of appropriate steps, compliance with AORN Recommended Practices and creativity.

A panel of judges from the AORN Recommended Practices Committee will choose three video finalists for announcement during the week of Feb. 1. The three finalists will be displayed on AORN’s Web site.  Until Feb. 22, AORN members and other visitors to the site, will have the opportunity to vote for their top video. The winning video will be announced publicly at the AORN Annual Congress in Denver, March 13-18, 2010 and the winner(s) (up to three people) will receive an educational grant from 3M to cover the registration fee to attend an AORN conference of their choice. For more details regarding contest criteria, submission requirements and the public voting component, visit: http://www.aorn.org after Dec. 1.

The peer recognition program, which will be launched early next year, will seek to recognize individuals who demonstrate leadership within their organizations to promote outstanding hand hygiene compliance and adherence to the Recommended Practices.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/hicpac/infections_deaths.pdf.  2002. Accessed June 18, 2009.

2. Association for periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). Recommended Practices for Hand Hygiene in the Perioperative Setting. 2009.