On the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day, the University Clinical Center Tuzla hosted a round- table discussion on the subject “Fight antibiotic resistance- It’s in your hands”. The lecturers of the round- table spoke about hand hygiene in health care facilities, antimicrobial resistance, sepsis, nosocomial infections in intensive care unions, and strategies to prevent healthcare- associated infections and hand hygiene control in hospital settings. The round- table moderator was Prof. Dr. Fahrija Skokić, medical director of the University Clinical Center Tuzla.
While giving a keynote speech Prof.Dr. Skokić said that healthcare associated infections are a major problem for patient safety worldwide and the biggest challenge of modern hospital treatment. These unanticipated infections develop during the course of health care treatment and result in significant patient illnesses, prolong the duration of hospital stays, and can lead to death outcome. Therefore, as Prof. Skokić said, it is very important to raise awareness of health care professionals and patients.
On this occasion, Ass. Prof. Jasmina Smajić from the Clinic of Anesthesia and Resuscitation said that hospital acquired infections lead to the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, which accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial resistance increases the cost of health care, and thus the additional burden to the health care system. ” Overuse of broad- spectrum antibiotics may lead to antimicrobial resistance, which is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medications previously used to treat them. Rational use of antibiotics, as well as raising awareness about the importance of prevention and hand hygiene can be used to fight antibiotic resistance.” said Ass. Prof. Smajić.
The World Health Organization has declared 5 May as World Hand Hygiene Day. Save lives: Clean Your Hands 5 May 2017- Fight antibiotic resistance- It’s in your hands is the theme of this year’s World Hygiene Day.