ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

With the aim of bringing healthcare and cleaning professionals together, RAI Amsterdam has organised the inaugural International Healthcare Forum - set to run alongside Interclean Amsterdam on Wednesday May 16.

Featuring expert speakers from around the world, the Healthcare Cleaning Forum will run alongside the show on day two. It aims to raise awareness, discuss best practice and explore the latest research on how cleaning can have an impact on antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and infection prevention and control (IPC).

“Disease and infection do not recognise borders, so neither should our knowledge and understanding of how to prevent them,” said Professor Didier Pittet, director of the Infection Control Programme and World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety.

“That is why we have introduced the first ever International Healthcare Forum. By bringing healthcare and cleaning professionals together to discuss their challenges, we aim to improve communications between the two areas and add to the conversation on how best to approach AMS and IPC.”

Running from 10.00 to 16.00 on Wednesday May 16, the event will feature a diverse programme delivered by a number of international experts in their field. It will explore key topics, develop awareness of the importance of cleaning, and discuss the latest research - all with the aim of increasing patient safety and reducing antibiotic use.

The sessions will investigate a range of areas, including: better methods for how to educate, train and improve cleaning; understanding cleaning in relation to safety; the economic impact, and how it can alleviate the financial burden that HAIs place on healthcare organisations; and how to make the most of new research and technologies.

Featured expert speakers at the International Healthcare Cleaning Forum will include Professor Didier Pittet, introducing a new, efficient cleaning model based on WHO standards; Pierre Parneix, discussing how to select the right cleaning agents and techniques to tackle different pathogens; Andreas Voss, exploring the dangers and outcomes of ineffective cleaning practices; Andreea Moldovan, looking at why knowledge is a key element of healthcare cleaning; Jon Otter, investigating a cost-benefit analysis of cleaning and infection prevention; and Markus Dettenkofer, sharing insight on how to take practical approaches from the latest research and identify the latest technology.

www.intercleanshow.com/en/amsterdam/healthcare-cleaning-forum