PRINCESS programme Improving hand hygiene in Spanish nursing homes What is PRINCESS? PRINCESS (the ‘Programa para la Prevención de Infecciones en Centros Residenciales Dirigidos a Personas Mayores de Servicios Sociales’) is a programme initiated by the Spanish Ministry of Health for infection prevention in nursing homes [1]. The recently published recommendations were contributed to by renowned hygienists. Nursing homes must now adapt their hygiene procedures and implement routine hand disinfection at four defined moments, adapted from the ‘Five Moments’ of the World Health Organization (WHO) [2]. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) cause more than 7,000 deaths and incur direct costs of around €2 billion each year in Spain. Three-quarters of Spanish seniors in care facilities are over 80 years old and therefore particularly at risk. As many of them take medication long-term, the risk of antibiotic interactions increases, and multi-resistant infections are also commonplace. Given that hand disinfection is not yet routinely practiced across the board in Spanish nursing homes, there is also an urgent need for action. The PRINCESS programme aims to address this issue and increase the safety of those in need of care, as well as reducing infections. Five pillars for success The programme is based on five pillars. To meet the ‘infrastructure and resources’ requirement, facilities must provide permanently installed and mobile dispensers filled with proven, effective alcohol-based hand disinfectants. Particular attention should be paid to locations where there is contact with body fluids or where large numbers of people gather. Additionally, common rooms and bathrooms must have sinks with running water, soap, and paper towels [1]. The guideline also provides clear recommendations on the topics of ‘education and training‘ (e.g. content and evidence), ‘evaluation‘, ‘strategic reminders on hand hygiene‘ (e.g. visual cues) and ‘promoting a good safety culture‘. The illustrated appendix containing posters on hand hygiene and glove use facilitates the practical implementation of the programme by institutions. References 1. PROGRAMA PRINCESS (2025). https://seguridaddelpaciente.sanidad.gob.es/informacion/publicaciones/2024/docs/PROGRAMA_PARA_LA_MEJORA_DE_HIGIENE_DE_ MANOS_EN_CENTROS_RESIDENCIALES_DIRIGIDOSA_PERSONAS_MAYORES.pdf (accessed on 01.08.2025) 2. WHO (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906 (accessed on 01.08.2025) KNOWLEDGE dos a ores encial d en del Before contact to resident After contact to resident _____ ______ P egenzentrum 4 1 Before aseptic task 2 After body fluid exposure risk 3 17
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDU5MjM=