Infection Control
Hand Hygiene We will do everything we can
to help you get well and avoid complications. You should know that each year in the United States, patients get more than 1 million infections in the hospital while they’re being treated for something else. Tese infections can be serious and hard to treat, but there’s one simple thing you and your family can do to help prevent these infections: wash your hands and make sure that everyone who touches you—including your doctor—cleanses his or her hands too. Patients and their loved ones who take an active role and become involved in their treatment may have better experiences in the hospital than those who don’t.
Hand Hygiene Saves Lives Everyone around you must practice proper hand hygiene. Tis means that people should wash their hands either with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It is important that healthcare providers— including doctors and nurses—wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer every time before and aſter they touch you. Healthcare providers know to practice hand hygiene, but sometimes they may forget. You and your loved ones can play a role in asking and reminding healthcare providers to wash their hands, especially while they are caring for you. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask everyone,
including doctors and nurses, to wash their hands—they really want to do all they can to help prevent you from getting an infection.
When should I wash my hands? It is important to remember that healthcare providers aren’t the only ones who need to practice hand hygiene. You and your loved ones should wash your hands very oſten, especially aſter touching objects or surfaces in the hospital room, before eating, and aſter using the restroom.
When should I use alcohol-based hand rubs? An alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred method for hand hygiene in all situations, except for when your hands are visibly dirty or contaminated.
How do I practice hand hygiene
correctly? n Handwashing •Wet hands with water and apply soap, rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. •Rinse and dry with disposable towel. •Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
n Hand Rub (foam and gel) •Apply to palm of one hand. •Rub hands together, covering all surfaces, focusing in particular on the fingertips and fingernails, until dry. Use enough rub to require at least 15 seconds to dry.
www.sphn.com 915-832-2000 : 17
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