CPS: Clean your hands, save lives | THE DAILY HERALD

PHILIPSBURG–According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infections acquired during delivery of healthcare are common and are a risk factor for developing healthcare-associated sepsis, but it can be prevented.

In review of the existing reports and theories, the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Collective Preventive Services (CPS) department, from an awareness and public information perspective, emphasises the need to routinely clean your hands. Simply wash hands in every action and step, to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.

Very young and especially premature babies are very vulnerable, as their immune system is not fully developed and at such an age they are not vaccinated. Therefore, parents should be aware of people wanting to cuddle or kiss their baby while they have a cold sore, or persons who would like to look at the baby while they are coughing and sneezing, or hold the baby without proper hand-washing.

Effective hand hygiene plays a key role. WHO calls on health facilities to prevent healthcare-associated sepsis through hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC) actions/protocol.

Sepsis is estimated to affect more than 30 million patients every year worldwide. At the 70th World Health Assembly in May 2017, member states adopted a resolution on improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.

Approximately 31 million new sepsis cases occur each year, resulting in six million deaths annually, according to WHO. The occurrence, frequency and fatality of sepsis are determined by complex interplaying factors, including the host’s immune system, causative pathogen, timely diagnosis, and access to quality care.

Healthcare-acquired infections are often resistant to antibiotics. This makes the management of these infections challenging and they are often associated with poor patient outcome and higher economic burden.

Persons seeking additional information can contact CPS at tel. 542-1570 or 542-1222.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/77603-cps-clean-your-hands-save-lives

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