Keep updated with the latest news, project updates and event information from the Hand Hygiene New Zealand (HHNZ) project team.
The number of trained and validated auditors continues to grow
The most recent auditor training events were held in Christchurch in November and in Rotorua in December 2009. These were just as successful as the previous events held in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin earlier in the year.
By mid-December 2009, all 21 DHBs had HHNZ trained and validated hand hygiene auditors. There is a total of 5 platinum auditors and more than 80 gold auditors nationally. As noted on the ‘About Us’ section of this website, the 5 platinum auditors are based in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington and Dunedin.
More gold auditor training events will, subject to DHB interest, be held during 2010
The project team will meet in February 2010 to discuss options for additional auditor training events for DHB employees during 2010. Dates and locations will be proposed and lead DHB contacts advised of those proposals in due course.
Registrations of interest from DHBs who wish to send staff to training events in 2010 should be sent to the HHNZ Project Manager. Those who attend the training will leave with a clear appreciation of the 5 moments approach and how to go about auditing for compliance.
Copies of presentations made at the training events that may serve as useful references and/or revision tools for those who have already been trained and validated as gold auditors may be found in the ‘Resources’ section of this website.
Establishing a national hand hygiene coordinator network
HHNZ convened a coordinator workshop in Wellington on 30 September 2009 to facilitate an exchange of key implementation learnings. We were very pleased with excellent representation at the workshop from 20 of the 21 DHBs. We believe that the workshop achieved its aims of building closer working relationships between coordinators in DHBs throughout New Zealand and as a key transition event (ie, downsizing the national activity and scaling up of coordinated local implementation activities).
The following are copies of presentations that were made at the workshop. A summary report about the workshop outcomes has also been developed and circulated to all who attended the workshop and to the lead contacts at each of the DHBs.
• Henry Dowler - 2 (Resourcing).pdf 
• Henry Dowler - 3 (Sustainability).pdf
• Lin Marriott (Waikato DHB).pdf
• Ray Pickles (Tairawhiti DHB).pdf
• Robyn Boyne (Bay of Plenty DHB).pdf
• Sharmini Muttaiyah (SA Outcome Data).pdf
• Sophie Worboys (Auckland DHB).pdf
HHNZ Newsletters
HHNZ Newsletters are published by HHNZ on an ‘as required’ basis to provide more detail about implementation and HHNZ activities. They also include responses to some specific questions or issues raised by DHBs. The newsletters are sent to the lead contact person in each DHB and to Hand Hygiene Coordinators for circulation to others within their DHB who may be interested in the information they contain. Copies of all the newsletters that have been issued are also available here:
• Hand Hygiene Newsletter, December 2008
Topics covered in this December 2008 newsletter include:
- feedback on the draft HHNZ guidelines, consequent changes to the draft guidelines and adjustments to the 2009 DHB implementation activity timetable
- electronic options for hand hygiene compliance data collection and management
• Hand Hygiene Newsletter, March 2009
Topics covered in this March 2009 newsletter include:
- HHNZ data and progress reporting requirements, key dates and electronic options for data collection and management
- advice from the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner on taking account of the Code of Rights while undertaking hand hygiene compliance audits in hospitals
- the launch of Hand Hygiene Australia’s on-line learning package.
• Hand Hygiene Newsletter, June 2009
Topics covered in this June 2009 newsletter include:
- information about hand hygiene compliance audits
- participating in the rollout of the PDA-based data solution
- alcohol based hand products – recycling and refilling dispensers
- implementation progress reporting
• Hand Hygiene Newsletter, October 2009
Topics covered in this October 2009 newsletter include:
- how to register interest in November gold auditor training in Christchurch
- some findings from the August 2009 progress evaluation survey of DHBs
- HHNZ sustainability issues
- infection rate reporting and the definition of ‘discharges’
- PDA users guide on the website and changes to the standard report
- new HHNZ DVD resource and links to the NHS National Patient Safety ‘Wi-Five’ hand hygiene game and the WHO Save Lives: Clean YOUR Hands site
- purchasing HHNZ merchandise directly from suppliers
