Stefan Schnippering (hospital hygiene officer) and Tuna Colak (hygiene specialist) are delighted to receive the “Clean Hands Campaign” Gold Certificate, which confirms the high standards of hand hygiene at Sportklinik Hellersen.
Third consecutive Gold Certificate for Sportklinik Hellersen "Clean Hands Campaign" confirms highest quality standards in hand hygiene
Sportklinik Hellersen has been awarded the Gold Certificate from the nationwide “Clean Hands Campaign” for the third consecutive year. The certification underscores the high hygiene standards of this specialized clinic for orthopedics, trauma surgery, and sports medicine in the area of hand hygiene, as well as its ongoing commitment to protecting patients.
Hospital-acquired infections are among the greatest preventable risks in everyday clinical practice. “Consistent hand hygiene is therefore an essential component of our hygiene measures to prevent the transmission of pathogens and thus reduce the risk of wound infections,” explains Dirk Burghaus, CEO of Sportklinik Hellersen. “The Gold Award confirms that our measures place us among the facilities nationwide with the highest quality standards in the area of hand hygiene.”
High Hand Hygiene Standards Reaffirmed
The “Clean Hands Campaign” was launched in 2008 to enhance patient safety through improved hand hygiene. Since 2011, hospitals have been recognized for their hygiene quality. To receive the Gold Certificate, hospitals must meet demanding requirements. These are based on a comprehensive list of criteria, which includes, among other things, the widespread availability of disinfectants, the analysis of relevant data, and regular training for staff on hygiene measures.
A central component of the certification process is the annual campaign day, which takes place in early May to mark “World Hand Hygiene Day.” “The focus is on refreshing staff knowledge, practicing practical skills, and promoting overall awareness of the importance of proper hand hygiene,” explains Tuna Colak, hygiene specialist at the Sportklinik Hellersen and organizational director of the campaign day.
Successful Hand Hygiene Awareness Day
A special focus was placed on practical training in the rubbing technique for hand disinfection. Using a special dye, areas not properly covered were made visible to the naked eye, allowing for the identification of individual areas for improvement. In addition, a fluorescent test agent used in a black light box demonstrated that even wearing disposable gloves does not replace hand disinfection. The procedure made microperforations in medical gloves visible and highlighted the necessity of hand hygiene before and after using gloves. The black light test was also very popular for checking, after rubbing in a liquid test disinfectant, whether all areas of the skin had been sufficiently wetted.
During the campaign day, a black light box was used to reveal both the areas missed during hand sanitization and the microperforations in medical gloves.
Award for Consistent Hand Hygiene and Patient Safety For 80 years, the Sportklinik Hellersen has stood for high-quality medical care. Patient safety is our top priority. The renewed Gold Award for 2026/2027 follows seamlessly on from the Gold Certificates for 2024/2025 and 2022/2023, as well as the Silver Certificate for 2020/2021. It recognizes the Sportklinik Hellersen's ongoing commitment to hand hygiene and infection prevention to protect patients, visitors, and staff.
Press Contact
Sarah Burghaus
Head of Marketing, PR & Customer Service, Press Spokesperson
sarah.burghaus@hellersen.de
Marketing & PR
marketing@hellersen.de
