From Hands to Handles: Winning the Fight Against HAIs Together

Common HAIs include:

1. Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)
E.g.,  A patient in recovery with an indwelling catheter develops a UTI after the catheter was inserted without full aseptic technique.

2. Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
E.g.,  Following a routine knee replacement, a patient returns with redness and discharge around the incision due to poor wound care practices post-op.

3. Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)
E.g.,  A cancer patient with a central venous catheter develops a bloodstream infection after repeated handling of the line without proper hand hygiene.

4. Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
E.g.,  A patient in ICU on mechanical ventilation contracts pneumonia after oral care routines are missed and suction equipment isn’t fully disinfected.

5. Clostridioides difficile Infection (C. diff)
E.g.,  An elderly patient receiving antibiotics develops severe diarrhoea after being exposed to C. diff spores on contaminated bathroom surfaces.6. Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
E.g.,  A patient admitted for a non-respiratory issue develops pneumonia after spending several days in a shared room where high-touch surfaces weren’t regularly disinfected.

These infections increase costs and can have severe, sometimes fatal, consequences.

While hand hygiene is rightly known as the single most important intervention to prevent HAIs, many infections occur indirectly—through contaminated surfaces shared by visitors, patients, and healthcare workers.

Think of how often people touch:

• Door handles in reception areas and patient rooms
  
• Light switches in shared spaces
  
• Armrests on waiting room chairs
  
• Touchscreens or check-in kiosks at entry points
  
• Lift buttons and handrails in hallways
  
• Shared keyboards and mouse devices at staff stations
  
• Countertops and pens at the reception desk
  

Preventing HAIs requires habitual, mindful hygiene that extends beyond just hand washing. It includes:

• Hand washing procedures using soap and water or alcohol-based rub before and after patient contact
  
• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces multiple times a day with TGA-approved products, especially in high-traffic visitor areas
  
• Correct use of PPE during procedures and patient interactions
  
• Documentation and surveillance to identify hotspots and act early
  
• Staff education and training on HAI prevention measures
  
• Early identification and isolation of symptomatic patients

By cleaning the surfaces that visitors and staff interact with most frequently, Namoli Healthcare plays a vital role in disrupting the chain of infection—creating safer environments for everyone.

Read more: Five Moments for Hand Hygiene – And the Hidden Risk on Surfaces

Claire puts it simply:

“Hand hygiene and surface cleaning have to be a team effort. We rely on each other. One slip can undo a whole shift of good work.”