Here you can find the essential information about the conditions of participation. Whether you're looking to join or simply learn more, this section will guide you through the requirements and processes of the award.
1. Registration
- Participation is free and open to all hospitals implementing the WHO multi-modal strategy to increase hand hygiene awareness.
- Hospitals must register at: WHO Registration.
- Correspondence language: English and via email.
- Previous winners can reapply for an additional award after 3 years.
2. Cancellation terms
Participants may cancel their registration at any time free of charge.
3. Modifications to the award
The expert panel members can modify the award program at any time.
4. Right of cancellation
The expert panel members and Aesculap Academy can cancel the award program for good cause, even at short notice, especially if:
- The minimum number of participants is not reached.
- Other essential conditions for conducting the award have changed.
- Any further claims, particularly for damages, are excluded.
5. Decision of finalist and winner
The decision on finalists and winners is based on the expert panel members' assessment and is final.
One winner will be announced in each category: Hand Hygiene Excellence Award and Hand Hygiene Innovation Award.
6. Audit procedures
Audits follow the WHO assessment framework and are not in any particular order:
- Interview hospital staff, patients, and relatives.
- Review compliance data and accessibility of WHO Hand Hygiene tools.
- Observe the availability of hand wash and hand rub facilities.
- Check the placement of sinks, drying agents, and hand rubs (bedside, common areas).
- Look for public information reminders about the importance of hand hygiene.
- Take photos.
- The hospital's senior management must permit a one-day audit by two expert panel members and one Aesculap Academy member.
7. Announcement of winners
- Winning hospitals will be informed by mail and announced on the Hand Hygiene Excellence Award Homepage and at a regional infection control conference.
- Two individuals from the winning hospitals will participate in the APSIC congress (Asia Pacific Region), ICPIC congress (European region), or Panamerican Congress of Infection Control (Latin America) to present their program and receive the award trophy.
8. Sponsorship
B. Braun Medical AG, Switzerland will sponsor travel costs to and from the congress for two individuals from the winning hospitals. The senior management must be informed of the sponsorship.
9. Data protection
By registering, participants agree to the storage of their personal data and sharing of information with the expert panel members, Aesculap Academy, and B. Braun Medical AG. More can be found in our Data Privacy Policy.
10. Conditions for previous award winners
There have been improvements to the WHO Multi-Modal Hand Hygiene Strategy since the first award. For more information, please go to the FAQs .