Judging from the number of entries submitted to the hospital’s recent hand hygiene slogan contest, many employees know that practicing proper hand hygiene is a top priority at the MGH. The STOP (Stop Transmission of Pathogens) Task Force received more than 300 entries during the monthlong submission period and has announced the winning slogan: “Be an ACE!” Submitted by Bill Perry, MGH respiratory therapist, (on right) ACE is an acronym that stands for “Always Cal Stat Entering and Exiting” patients’ rooms. David Hooper, MD, chief of the Infection Control Unit, (on left) awarded Perry his prize – a football autographed by Richard Seymour of the New England Patriots – during a surprise presentation Aug. 16.

The STOP Task Force sponsored the contest to develop a slogan that employees can use to discreetly remind one another to practice hand hygiene. The new phrase will be actively promoted throughout the hospital so that it becomes a regular part of the MGH workplace culture.

“We hope to use this slogan as a tool to work together and help each other achieve 100 percent compliance with hand hygiene, both before and after patient contact,” says Hooper. “As our compliance has improved, we’ve already seen benefits to our patients with reduced transmission of some antibiotic-resistant hospital pathogens, and we expect to see further benefits as we continue to improve.”

For more information about the slogan or hand hygiene at the MGH, contact the Infection Control Unit at (617) 726-2036.