DENVER & ST. PAUL, Minn. — With a video featuring healthcare professionals demonstrating hand hygiene practices while singing a version of the Hokey Pokey, Billings Clinic of Billings, Mont., was named the winner of the “It’s in Your Hands” YouTube video contest, sponsored by 3M and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). With more than 2,500 votes, Billings Clinic was announced as the winner last night during the AORN annual Congress in Denver, and received a $5,000 educational grant that can be redeemed for any AORN program or service or to purchase AORN reference materials.

“Hand hygiene is an integral part of patient safety at Billings Clinic and our team united to share a serious message in an entertaining way,” said Jackie Hines, RN, the AORN member who submitted the video on behalf of Billings Clinic. “We are honored to be recognized by our industry and thank AORN and 3M for bringing attention to the important work of perioperative professionals.”

The Billings video competed against two other finalists from John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek, Calif., and Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The three finalists were selected by AORN’s Recommended Practices Committee using several contest criteria including adherence to AORN’s Recommended Practices for Hand Hygiene in the Perioperative Setting, an evidence-based set of guidelines for practicing optimal hand hygiene.

“It has been incredibly exciting to have professionals around the country rally behind this initiative and show both their colleagues and patients how they follow these critical hand hygiene best practices” said Patrick Voight RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, president of AORN. “We congratulate Billings Clinic on their selection as contest winner. Billings Clinic demonstrated perfect adherence to the Recommended Practices, while also incorporating creativity.”

The “It’s in Your Hands” YouTube video contest was created as part of a partnership between 3M Infection Prevention and AORN to raise awareness of the deadly risks associated with improper hand hygiene techniques and the importance of the Recommend Practices, while encouraging best practices among OR nurses and other healthcare professionals.