We all know how crucial hand hygiene is in our day-to-day settings, but the importance is magnified for individuals interacting in healthcare environments. Hand hygiene involves cleaning hands thoroughly with water and soap or sanitizer. This practice plays an important role in reducing the risk of spreading germs and infections. With flu season in full swing, it’s a good time to brush up on the topic of hand hygiene.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), studies show that on average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. This can contribute to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which affects 1 in 25 hospital patients on any given day. When hands are not washed properly or at the right times, patients and providers are at risk of getting infections.
For healthcare professionals’ hand hygiene, the CDC states:
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the most effective products for reducing the number of germs on the hands of healthcare providers.
- Antiseptic soaps and detergents are the next most effective, and non-antimicrobial soaps are the least effective.
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
Healthcare settings should provide adequate supplies of soaps and sanitizers for employees, patients and visitors to use. To help promote the effective use of these products, they should be positioned at easily-accessible areas throughout the facility. A healthcare uniform and linen provider can assist with inventory needs and on-time deliveries, which takes this responsibility away from facility staff.
5 Moments for Hand Hygiene
The CDC recommends that healthcare providers should clean their hands before and after every patient contact to protect themselves as well as their patients from infections. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) references the World Health Organization’s 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene as a guide, which defines the key moments when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene.
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Safety is in Your Hands
Clean hands can potentially save lives. Taking necessary precautions and focusing on prevention are important steps in helping to reduce the spread of germs in healthcare settings. WHO offers resources for initiating and sustaining a hand hygiene strategy, as well as suggested procedures for hand rubbing and hand washing. For more information on how AmeriPride can deliver dependable products from trusted sources such as GOJO® and PURELL® for your healthcare needs, please contact us today.