Clean Hands are Safer Hands…They Also Save Lives!

One childhood memory that almost everyone shares is that of our mothers constantly reminding us to “wash your hands!”

It turns out this sage advice from mom has been shown to actually save lives.  What most people don’t realize is that normal human skin is colonized with bacteria, and that the number of infectious organisms can grow as we come in contact with any number of contaminated surfaces we touch throughout the day (like grocery carts, handrails, money and most importantly, shaking others’ hands).

Nowadays, with antibiotic resistant organisms (like MRSA) in high numbers we can no longer rely on treating all infections with drugs. Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important things we can do to keep from passing bacteria and infections on to others, and preventing infections in ourselves. Current news headlines stress that one of the most effective actions the public can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting and spreading the H1N1 flu virus is to consistently follow good hand hygiene practices.

“What is Hand Hygiene?” That is the term that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) uses to describe either hand washing or alcohol based hand rubs as methods to disinfect hands.  One fact most people do not know is that using an alcohol-based handrub that contains over 70% ethanol or isopropanol is better at killing bacteria than washing our hands with soap and water.

Passing infections on to patients in healthcare settings is something every caregiver strives to prevent.  Hospitals in recent years have learned that when they increased Hand Hygiene awareness among their healthcare workers, patients and families, their hospital acquired infection rates were dramatically reduced.  At Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, we are committed to patient safety practices and will have a vigorous, high profile Hand Hygiene program designed to keep our patients and staff safe from the spread of infections.  Our Hand Hygiene program will include education and information about good infection prevention techniques.  Even though the hospital has not yet opened, we thought that sharing Hand Hygiene tips would be especially helpful to our community during this flu season.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• After touching potentially contaminated surfaces

How do you wash your hands correctly?

• Soap, Water, Friction are the 3 most important components to handwashing
• Wet hands first with warm water
• Apply soap
• Vigorously wash hands for 20 seconds, covering all surfaces of your hands, between webbing of fingers and under nails
• Rinse hands and leave water running
• Use clean dry paper towels to turn off faucet and dispose
• Dry hands with clean paper towels and dispose

How do you use hand rubs correctly?

• Use a dime-sized dollop of alcohol handrub product
• Rub all the hand surfaces until dry -including in-between fingers & thumbs
• Note:  Don’t touch electrical fixtures with wet hands