We have heard them all.  Challenge after challenge.   Reality TV shows after another.  Social media challenge gone viral.  The biggest loser, 100 happy days, your weight in gold, walk for autism, and of course the latest craze, The ALS Ice bucket challenge. 

These challenges aim to eradicate certain disease, sadness, isolation and obesity, etc.   But there is one ultimate challenge not only for those who are fat or thin, black or white, not only for the physically challenged or the mentally handicapped, not only for those who are social media addict, but for everyone especially for us who are working in a hospital environment.    The challenge that could save lives - The hand hygiene challenge!

Hand hygiene is the most effective measure of preventing the spread of infection.  It involves washing with soap and water for visibly dirty hands or waterless antimicrobial agent to the surface of the hands, which kills germs in seconds.  It is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the transfer of infection to patients, visitors and among healthcare workers.

There are five moments of hand hygiene according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

http://www.who.int/gpsc/tools/Five_moments/en/ 

  

Germs are everywhere.  We do not see them attacking and causing lives to many.  We have to act against these harmful germs.  The best solution against germs is hand hygiene.  The hand hygiene challenge is not only for certain individuals but it is of universal concern.

It does not matter which area you work for or which advocacy you campaign for,  I nominate you for the hand hygiene challenge!  Do not wait for 24 hours.  Just do it now!