Celebrating excellence in hand hygiene

The Controlling Specific Infections Successful Strategies (CSISS) Steering Committee has launched a new annual recognition program to highlight outstanding hand hygiene performance across the MUHC. The initiative follows the success of a webinar Spotlight on Hand Hygiene, where the team introduced CASSIS, the new mascot representing its infection‑prevention efforts. 

For the 2025 edition, results were evaluated using two indicators: hand hygiene compliance rate and number of observations. Two units stood out for their consistency and rigour:

• B6 NICU — 89 per cent compliance — 6,393 observations
• B7 Pediatric Hemato-Oncology — 95 per cent compliance — 1,394 observations (honourable mention for outstanding compliance rate)

Although B7 did not meet the minimum observation threshold of 2600, the unit’s exceptional compliance rate of 95 per cent deserved special recognition.

To mark the achievement, the CSISS program represented by Mark Anthony Dixon (Department Head Housekeeping Services (Glen site), Michal Stachura (Nursing Consultant - Pediatric IPAC), and Anaïck Briand (Nursing Practice Consultant and Project Manager) delivered celebration cakes to the winning teams. In partnership with the Nursing Directorate and the Pediatric Infection Prevention and Control department, gift cards were also awarded to recognize their clinical leadership. A photo session with Communications captured the moment.  

Anaïck emphasized the significance of the results. “What impresses me most isn’t just the numbers, but the rigour they represent. When a single unit maintains such a high hand hygiene rate over more than 6,300 observations, it’s no longer about luck—it’s about a culture of safety deeply embedded in daily practice.”

“We are deeply proud of our teams and thank you for the efforts you make every day to ensure everyone’s safety. Congratulations to our champions and thank you to CASSIS for accompanying us in this mission,” she added.

Building on the success of this initiative, the Steering Committee confirms that this recognition will now be an annual event.