University Medicine Magdeburg again awarded gold certificate by the ‘Aktion Saubere Hände“ ausgezeichnet
Magdeburg University Hospital has once again been awarded gold status by ‘Aktion Saubere Hände’ (Clean Hands Campaign) in the recertification of hand hygiene for the years 2024 and 2025. Of a total of 45 hospitals in Saxony-Anhalt, only four were awarded this gold certificate, confirming the high standards of hygiene at Magdeburg University Hospital.
In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, the Germany-wide campaign is committed to quality assurance and improved hygiene standards in the area of hand hygiene in medical facilities. Magdeburg University Hospital has been involved in this campaign with great energy and commitment since it was founded in 2008.
Gold certification in recognition of exemplary measures
The ‘Clean Hands Campaign’ includes a comprehensive package of measures to improve hand hygiene in the participating facilities. This includes an annual campaign day, regular training for employees on correct hand hygiene and public awareness campaigns.
The central element of the campaign is the direct observation of hand disinfection behaviour in everyday ward life. Employees of the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene carry out inconspicuous observations of medical and nursing staff and document whether hand disinfection is carried out at the relevant times - for example before and after patient contact. The results are analysed by professional group and reported back to the wards. Since 2018, the hygiene specialists at Magdeburg University Medical Centre have carried out over 16,000 individual observations on correct hand disinfection among nursing staff and doctors in this way. If the results in one area are inadequate, targeted training is offered.
Prof Gernot Geginat, Head of Hospital Hygiene at Magdeburg University Hospital, says: ‘Hand hygiene is the most important single measure for preventing infection in hospitals. In everyday ward life, nursing staff sometimes have to disinfect their hands over a hundred times a day. Our renewed gold certification by ‘Aktion Saubere Hände’ (Clean Hands Campaign) confirms our continuous endeavours to further improve the quality of hygiene. We are very proud of our new gold certificate from the Clean Hands campaign.’