This week's coverage in Infection Control Today centered on a common thread: the systems, partnerships, and data that let infection prevention teams catch problems before patients are harmed.
|Articles|March 25, 2010
AORN and 3M Accepting Submissions for Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champions Award
Advertisement
As an extension of the well -received “It’s In Your Hands” Campaign to recognize the contribution of perioperative professionals who adhere to good hand hygiene practices, 3M and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) today announced the start of a second recognition program called the Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champions Award. Perioperative professionals are encouraged to visit
“The Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champions Award is a great way to recognize a colleague or a team for their efforts in promoting hand hygiene best practices,” said Linda Groah, RN, MSN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, executive director/CEO of AORN. “We know there are nurses and other healthcare professionals who are creating unique programs that improve adherence to proper hand hygiene. We want to encourage their efforts.”
Submissions will be judged on the following criteria, based on programs implemented over the past 24 months:
-- Demonstrated passion for hand hygiene and AORN hand hygiene Recommended Practices
-- Unique use of communication to reach members of their facilities (Example: did the person start a Facebook page to promote proper hand hygiene or Tweet information to followers?)
-- Collaborations fostered within the facility or professional community to promote proper hand hygiene practices
Nominations will be accepted until April 30 and recipients will be notified by May 6, the beginning of National Nurses Week. The Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champions will be publicly announced, awarded a framed certificate of appreciation in recognition of their efforts and invited to participate in special initiatives.
Advertisement
Related to this article
Understanding current water quality is a starting point for ST108 implementation. John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERISS, spoke about his HSPA presentation on assessing readiness, distinguishing system qualification from routine testing, and understanding where water samples should be collected.
Behind every landmark in infection prevention, from antimicrobial stewardship guidelines to the COVID-19 town halls that reached flight attendants and teachers, is a generation of physician-scientists who led SHEA through crises, organizational change, and scientific breakthroughs. Infection Control Today traces 30 years of SHEA presidents and the lasting mark they left on the field.
Missing instruments and processing delays can strain OR–SPD relationships. At AORN 2026, John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERIS, discusses understanding root causes, exploring off-site reprocessing for ambulatory surgical centers, and using hands-on simulation to help surgical teams see sterile processing from a different perspective.
What might infection prevention rounds miss when visible conditions dominate the conversation? Tommy Davis, PhD, CMIP, a member of ICT's executive advisory board, makes the case for structured observations of clinical workflows, shared accountability, and greater attention to environmental services staff’s insights.
Artist and designer Matthew Caliman shares how personal loss inspired the Cleanup Crew, a handwashing education project using cartoon faucets, songs, and games to help families revisit an essential health message.
What Were the Biggest Infection Prevention Stories This Week? Ebola's Outpaced Response, Lyme Coinfection Data, and Sterile Processing Burnout Explained, and more
A shifting mask or fogged eyewear can interrupt focus when precision matters most. Dana Weaver Storm, MHA, BSN, RN, examines the challenges of prolonged surgical mask use and how perioperative leaders can support comfort, visibility, and consistent adherence.
Advertisement
Advertisement