FORUM Andreas F. Widmer was awarded the Robert Koch Award for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention in 2024. The award ceremony, which is endowed with 50,000 euros, took place this year on 8 November in Berlin. Prof Dr Andreas F. Widmer is being honoured for his outstanding and long-standing work in the field of infection control and prevention. As President of the National Centre for Infection Prevention, Swissnoso, which he co-founded in 1994 with Patrick Francioli and Didier Pittet, he worked for more than ten years as an expert at the Robert Koch Institute and for more than 15 years for the World Health Organization (WHO) on topics such as hand hygiene and wound infections. NEWS References 1. Bauer A et al. (2023) Contact Dermatitis 88: 263-274. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14280 2. Augustin M et al. (2022) J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 36 Suppl 7: 3-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.18168 3. Skudlik C et al. (2009) Contact Dermatitis 60: 136-143. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0536.2008.01496.x 4. Brans R et al. (2016) Occup Environ Med 2016 73: 670-675. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2016-103632 5. Pedersen LK et al. (2005) Less skin irritation from alcohol-based disinfectant than from detergent used for hand disinfection. Br J Dermatol 153: 1142-1146. https:// doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06875.x 6. Stutz N et al. (2009) Br J Dermatol 160: 565-572. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08951.x 7. Hines J et al. (2017) J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 31: 53-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.13851 8. Brans R et al. (2016) Contact Dermatitis 75: 205-212. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12614 9. Valim MD et al. (2024) Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 13: 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-023-01356-3 ’3 moments of skin protection‘ as the primary strategy. The moments are based on the use of protective skin care products: 1. BEFORE work, 2. AFTER hand washing and 3. AFTER work [7]. The success of the prevention programme was demonstrated in a multi-centre cohort study: of 1,410 workers with OCD, 87% were still able to work three years after participating in the programme, and 75% were even able to continue in their original occupation [8]. Prof John also explained in detail how people with BKD can get help from company doctors, dermatologists and the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV). Protecting yourself and others: the choice of hand disinfectants Dr Marco Krewing (HSC) then presented further evidence on hand hygiene. When choosing a hand disinfectant, self-protection and protection of others cannot be separated, because self-protection includes maintaining skin health, which in turn affects efficacy (only healthy skin can be effectively disinfected) and thus protection of others. In this regard, Dr Krewing showed that hand disinfection can have a positive effect on skin hydration [9]. He also explained the advantages of high-alcohol hand rubs over low-alcohol ones, as well as the possibilities and limitations of shorter exposure times. Andreas F. Widmer was awarded the Robert Koch Award for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention in 2024 18
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