The World Health Organization (WHO) designates May 5 as World Hand Hygiene Day each year. This day is part of the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign, which was launched by WHO in 2009. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of hand hygiene in health care settings and encourages people worldwide to come together in support of hand hygiene improvement globally.

Hand hygiene saves millions of lives every year when it is done at the right times in health care. When performed properly, it helps stop the spread of harmful germs.

To support safe hand hygiene practices all year long, the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) offers several free, downloadable resources, including:

• 4 Reasons for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings Poster
• Hand Hygiene Competency Tracking Tool
• Action Plan Templates (including a Hand Hygiene Action Plan)

Visit the HQIN Resource Center for additional tools to support your infection prevention efforts.