Patient Safety Week 2018

The 2018 Patient Safety Week (PSW) topic was infection prevention and control with a focus on good hand hygiene. Good hand hygiene helps stop the spread of bugs and antibiotic-resistant infections.

The theme was been chosen because:

• effective hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective way to prevent healthcare associated infections. There is variability in how well people working in the health sector practice good hand hygiene
• good hand hygiene in the home is important to prevent spread of infection within families and whānau
• reducing infections not only lessens the need for antibiotics but also reduces the opportunity for microorganisms to develop resistance and share resistance genes.

More information about the approach and resources for Patient Safety Week 2018 is available on the PSW 2018 resources page.