Preventing healthcare-associated infections and reducing their avoidable impact on health systems is critical today to make facilities safer for patients worldwide. ¹ In addition, the increasing public health burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) urges action. ² Stronger political commitment in reducing AMR was highlighted at the last United Nations General Assembly in September 2016 in New York.

Hand hygiene is at the center of effective infection prevention and control (IPC) to combat AMR spread. ³ The World Health Organization (WHO) recently issued guidelines on the Core Components of effective IPC program. ¹ Their implementation will help create strong, resilient health systems in all settings. The guidelines include the application of a multimodal strategy: achieving system change (infrastructure and resources), raising awareness, increasing education and training, monitoring and timely feedback, and creating a patient safety culture that includes visibly committed leadership. This approach improves hand hygiene, reduces infections, and saves lives.Reference Luangasanatip, Hongsuwan and Limmathurotsakul ⁴ Therefore, on the May 5, 2017, Global Annual Hand Hygiene Day, WHO urges policy makers, top-level managers, IPC specialists, and other health professionals to focus on the fight against AMR spread by building ever-stronger hand hygiene and IPC programs (Table 1).

TABLE 1

May 5, 2017 Key World Health Organization Campaign Messages

We encourage health facilities worldwide to endorse the May 5, 2017, WHO campaign ⁵ and to further improve hand hygiene, fight antibiotic resistance, and commit to progressing toward adherence to all core components of the IPC program.

Let’s fight antibiotic resistance together; it’s in our hands.