Press conference: World Hand Hygiene Day 2024

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6 May 2024

Marking World Hand Hygiene Day, ECDC released the latest data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial use in European hospitals.

Preliminary figures show that each year about 4.3 million patients in European hospitals acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection during their stay in the hospital.

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Andrea Ammon at press conference for Hand Hygiene Day 2024

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World Hand Hygiene Day 2024

6 May 2024

World Hand Hygiene Day is marked every year on 5 May, to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of infections.

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Find facts, infographics, data, scientific advice and guidance on antimicrobial resistance.

Healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals

Healthcare-associated infections are infections acquired by patients during their stay in a hospital or another healthcare setting. Although some of these infections can be treated easily, others may more seriously affect a patient’s health, increasing their stay in the hospital and hospital costs, and causing considerable distress to these patients.

Healthcare-associated infections

Healthcare-associated infections are infections acquired by patients during their stay in a hospital or another healthcare setting. More than 3.5 million cases of HAI are estimated to occur in the EU/EEA each year.

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Press conference: World Hand Hygiene Day 2024

ECDC press conference - 6 May - World Hand Hygiene Day 2024

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World Hand Hygiene Day 2024

More on this topic

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals

Healthcare-associated infections

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