Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) commenced implementing the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) in 2008. The purpose of the NHHI is to develop a national approach to hand hygiene across all healthcare facilities.
The NHHI receives broad support from both the public and private sector across Australia. An advisory committee representing all jurisdictions and other key stake holders meets regularly to review and advise on the progress of the NHHI. The HHA team has developed a number of resources and tools which are available to all jurisdictions to implement the NHHI at a healthcare facility level. These include workshops, training DVD, manual, website, and online learning package.
National hand hygiene compliance data was first submitted to HHA in April 2009 from 110 facilities. The number of facilities participating is expected to rise dramatically over the next 12 months.
A uniform hand hygiene program has been introduced to all jurisdictions. Key to the ongoing success of the NHHI is the establishment of sustainable processes. Whilst the NHHI receives strong support nationally, many challenges have been presented and met, and some are still to be addressed. The NHHI is the largest of the Commissions initiatives, and the first of potentially several national surveillance activities relating to healthcare acquired infection (HAI). Lessons learnt from the NHHI will be vital to the development of future national HAI activities.