AORN and 3M Now Accepting Submissions for the Perioperative Hand Hygiene Champions Award

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 www.aorn.org to download a short submission form, describing how an individual or team demonstrates proper hand hygiene practices to staff and patients and has influenced increased compliance among their peers.

"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:

a. Demonstrated passion for hand hygiene and AORN hand hygiene Recommended Practices

b. 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?)

c. 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. For more information, please visit www.AORN.org,

About AORN
AORN, Inc., the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, represents more than 42,000 registered nurses in the U.S. and abroad who facilitate the management, teaching and practice of perioperative nursing, or who are enrolled in nursing education or engaged in perioperative research. Its members also include perioperative nurses who work in related business and industry sectors. AORN’s mission is to support RNs in achieving optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. AORN promotes quality patient care by providing its members with education, standards, services and representation. For more information, visit www.aorn.org.

About 3M Infection Prevention Division
The 3M Infection Prevention Division offers healthcare professionals leadership solutions to minimize the risks of healthcare-associated infections. Combining science and technology, 3M has introduced more than 40 distinct technology platforms and a comprehensive portfolio of quality products that help the healthcare industry define and address current infection prevention best practices. With its system of people, products and process, 3M Infection Prevention remains a trusted partner committed to helping customers lead the way in controlling the risk of infection. For more information, please visit: www.mmm.com/infectionprevention.