Didier Pittet

Didier Pittet

Didier Pittet in 2023
Name	Didier Pittet
Birth name
Birth date	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Geneva, Switzerland
Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Epidemiologist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Promoting hand hygiene in healthcare
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Didier Pittet (born March 20, 1957) is a Swiss physician and epidemiologist renowned for his pioneering work in the field of infection control and patient safety. He is best known for leading the development and promotion of the World Health Organization's (WHO) global campaign on hand hygiene in healthcare settings, which has significantly reduced healthcare-associated infections worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Didier Pittet was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He pursued his medical education at the University of Geneva, where he obtained his medical degree. He later specialized in infectious diseases and hospital epidemiology, fields in which he has made significant contributions.

Career

Pittet began his career at the University of Geneva Hospitals, where he became the director of the Infection Control Programme. His work focused on improving hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers, which is a critical measure in preventing the spread of infections in hospitals.

Hand Hygiene Initiative

In the early 2000s, Pittet led a groundbreaking study that demonstrated the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand rubs in reducing the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings. This study laid the foundation for the WHO's "Clean Care is Safer Care" program, which Pittet helped to develop and implement globally.

The program emphasizes the "My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene" approach, which identifies key moments when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene to prevent infection transmission. This initiative has been adopted by thousands of healthcare facilities worldwide and has been credited with saving millions of lives.

Awards and Recognition

Didier Pittet has received numerous awards for his contributions to public health and infection control. These include the Robert Koch Gold Medal, the Nightingale Medal, and the Légion d'honneur from the French government. His work has been recognized by various international organizations, and he is frequently invited to speak at conferences and seminars around the world.

Publications

Pittet has authored and co-authored over 500 scientific publications, including research articles, reviews, and book chapters. His work is widely cited in the fields of infection control and epidemiology.

Personal Life

Didier Pittet is married and has three children. He continues to live in Geneva, where he remains active in research and advocacy for patient safety and infection prevention.

Also see

• Infection control
• Hand hygiene
• World Health Organization
• Patient safety
• Epidemiology