Ahaus, January 16, 2026 – St. Marien Hospital Ahaus has earned the coveted Golden Seal, the highest honor awarded for exemplary hand hygiene practices. This recognition underscores the critical role of meticulous handwashing in preventing the spread of infection, a practice the hospital has prioritized for years.
The Power of Clean Hands
Table of Contents
Why is hand hygiene so important, and what does this award mean for patient safety?
- Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of infections.
- St. Marien Hospital Ahaus has demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of cleanliness.
- The Golden Seal recognizes consistent adherence to rigorous hygiene protocols.
- The hospital actively involves both staff and patients in infection prevention efforts.
“Hand hygiene is one of the most important preventive measures to prevent infection, not only in times of Corona, influenza and the like,” stated Dr. Moritz Meyer, Medical Director at St. Marien Hospital Ahaus. It’s a surprisingly simple act with profound consequences, and this award validates the hospital’s dedication to patient well-being.
Meeting the Highest Standards
Achieving the Golden Seal wasn’t simply a matter of good intentions. The hospital underwent a thorough evaluation based on several key criteria. These included meticulous recording of hand disinfectant consumption, annual specialized training for staff, ensuring every ward is adequately equipped with disinfectant dispensers, and actively engaging patients in hand disinfection protocols.
Beyond simply providing the tools for hand hygiene, the hospital focuses on fostering a culture of awareness. “We do a lot to keep hand disinfection present on a daily basis and to emphasize the relevance of hand hygiene through regular training courses and action days,” Dr. Meyer explained. This proactive approach extends to visitors as well.
Germs: Hitching a Ride on Our Hands
Hygiene and infection prevention specialists Kirsten Winkler and Marianne Böckers emphasized the insidious way germs spread. “Many germs use our hands as a ‘taxi’ to spread,” Winkler noted. “Only consistent adherence to hand hygiene, training and measures to improve acceptance of hand hygiene can help.”
They strongly recommend that visitors practice hand disinfection both before and after their hospital visits. Furthermore, they advocate for patient participation in maintaining a clean environment. “It is also important that our patients themselves are directly involved in hygiene. Their own hands should be disinfected when entering and leaving the room, before eating, after using the sanitary unit and before and after contact with their own wound, mucous membranes or medical devices.”
The Golden Seal isn’t just a symbol of achievement; it’s a promise to patients and the community that St. Marien Hospital Ahaus is committed to providing the safest possible care environment.
