PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center was among nine hospitals statewide to be honored by the Washington State Hospital Association for outstanding hand hygiene practices.

At PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, every patient care unit has a system in place to monitor safe practices. In addition, hand hygiene and safety practices are reviewed at staff meetings daily to reinforce their importance in patient care, said Joni Och, director of quality management.

“The Best Hands On Care award validates this ongoing and important work by our caregivers,” Och said in a press release.

WSHA champions hand washing and good hand hygiene to decrease the spread of infection. In 2005, WSHA launched a statewide effort to bring hospitals together to share strategies for improving hand hygiene; in 2007, the first Hands On Care awards were given. Hospitals receive the award for exemplary rates of hand hygiene, using an evidence-based measuring system.

Also honored by WSHA with a 2011 award: MultiCare’s Good Samaritan and Mary Bridge Children’s hospitals; Swedish Medical Center / Cherry Hill; Providence Mount Carmel; and medical centers in Othello, Prosser, Sunnyside and Snoqualmie.