A campaign to highlight the importance of hand hygiene at Hywel Dda University Health Board has gained international recognition.

Shan Moses, Infection Prevention and Control Co-ordinator, won the runners-up prize in a hand hygiene champion competition run by Schülke, international specialists in infection control products, hygiene, disinfection and preservation.

Shan co-ordinated and implemented an innovative and engaging hand hygiene campaign to raise staff awareness into the need for good hand hygiene practices.

To coincide with the WHO Hand Hygiene day, Shan invited ten beauty therapy students from Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art to spend the day at both Glangwili and Prince Philip Hospitals to provide free hand massages to staff. While they underwent the treatment, Shan engaged with her captive audience about the importance of hand hygiene and correct techniques to maintain the integrity of the skin.

This initiative attracted nearly 250 staff over two days, who all went away with more detailed information about hand hygiene to help improve their own practice and also to pass on to colleagues.

Members of the Scarlets were also involved in the campaign. Under the banner ‘Pass the ball not the Germ’ local school children entered a hand hygiene poster design competition.

Shan also managed to involve local businesses who participated and supplied prizes.

Hospital wards were also encouraged to enter a Hand Hygiene awareness display competition as part of the ‘Pass the ball not the Germ’ initiative with the winning ward receiving a visit from a member of the Scarlets squad and a signed rugby shirt.

Sharon Evans, Senior Nurse Infection Prevention and Control who nominated Shan said: “These initiatives really captured the imagination and enthusiasm of hospital and community staff. Shan has also spent a considerable amount of time in raising awareness about hand hygiene and thoroughly deserves this recognition.”