Al Emadi Hospital, in line with its commitment to the promotion of hand hygiene and preventing the spread of infection in the healthcare settings, joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) Save Lives: Clean Your Hands Campaign on May 5.
The initiative was part of patient safety awareness campaign held in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar.
“Patient safety is at the heart of Al Emadi Hospital’s commitment to the public – it is a way of life for every staff,” said Dr Mohamed al-Emadi, chairman and senior consultant for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery of Al Emadi Hospital.  
A week prior to the celebration of World Hand Hygiene Day, a short course entitled “Hand hygiene: spread the word, not the germs” – a QCHP approved CME/CPD activity, was offered to healthcare practitioners across Qatar.  
The highlights of the celebration included screening a video about five moments for hand hygiene and hand sanitising relays showcasing the correct WHO defined steps on how to do hand rub.  
There was a lobby exhibit promoting this year’s theme: Hand Hygiene Supports Safe Surgical Care. Flyers about the ‘How, Why and When’ of hand hygiene, stick-on colourful badges and free hand sanitisers were distributed to all who visited the booth and demonstrated the correct hand hygiene technique.  
The activity was well participated not only by Al Emadi Hospital’s healthcare providers and staff but also by patients and families including children.
“When we improve our hand hygiene compliance, we are reducing the likelihood of infection transmission thereby promoting safer care and saving lives,” added medical director Dr Abdulelah Adimi.