Hospital Hygiene and Safety

Abstract

Introduction: Hospital hygiene and safety is a prerequisite to the reduction of occupational accidents and diseases; its favor’s health promotion and workplace safety as well. Purpose: The assessment of the impact of both hospital hygiene and safety on hospital workforce and hospitalized patients. Methodology: The material of the study consists of bibliographic research and recent papers concerning the subject. The sources were mainly found via electronic databases Medline, Google Scholar and the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link (HEAL-Link) in English and Greek using keywords regarding hygiene, safety and healthcare discipline. 38 reference sources were included. Results: Over the last two decades, the European Union highlights an increasing interest in occupational hygiene and safety. Several actions strategies have been developed in that direction not only at EU level but also at national and global level. There seems to be some progress as regards occupational health and safety in harmony with the Community legislation, mainly regarding a legislative framework. In Greek hospitals, there seem to be individual efforts, not collective ones, to ensure workforce health and safety. Greek healthcare professionals require more comprehensive awareness and education as regards occupational health and safety issues. Conclusions: It is essential concerted efforts and action of all stakeholders be adopted in order the desired outcome to be achieved.