World Hand Hygiene Day Celebrated at St. John’s Community Hospital, Enniscorthy

St. John’s Community Hospital in Enniscorthy marked the World Health Organisation’s annual World Hand Hygiene Day this week, highlighting the vital role of hand hygiene in preventing infection.

The HSE used the occasion to remind staff, patients, visitors, and families that proper hand hygiene is the most effective and affordable way to reduce healthcare-associated infections and combat antimicrobial resistance.

To celebrate the day, the HSE Dublin and South East’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nursing Team and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Team hosted a promotional stand for ‘Resist’, part of the HSE’s AMRIC programme. Visitors experienced an AI hand hygiene scanner, an interactive tool demonstrating correct hand-washing techniques.

Director of Nursing Ursula McPhilipps said,

“Cleaning your hands properly, at the correct time, is the most effective way to stop the spread of many infections. The ‘Resist’ programme helps us refresh and energise our hand hygiene approach among staff, clients, and visitors.”

Opened in 2009, St. John’s Community Hospital provides long-term residential care, rehabilitation, transitional care, respite, and a day centre for older people in the community.

World Hand Hygiene Day serves as a reminder that everyone—staff, residents, and visitors—can play a part in keeping healthcare facilities safe through proper hand hygiene.