From left, Katie Wilkerson, R.N., an infection control practitioner, Cindy Irwin, R.N., a clinical risk manager, Maria Fonseca-Kheshtl with utilization management, Tracey Bunch, an anesthesia technician, and Kelly Cole, R.N., talk about washing up during Hand Hygiene Awareness Day on Wednesday. Members of the VUMC Hand Hygiene Task Force visited patient care units to hand out cookies and spread the message that improved adherence to basic hand hygiene presents the biggest opportunity to reduce infections acquired in hospitals. The effort includes new annual training requirements, more alcohol gel dispensers for hand washing, ongoing monitoring of hand washing practices and other changes. Elements of the hand hygiene campaign have been under way since this summer at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
photo by Dana Johnson