Hand Hygiene

Hospital Workers

Healthcare workers at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital, Inc. practice the use of hand soap and alcohol-based hand rinse as recommended in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings” (October 25, 2002). The primary reason for emphasizing the cleansing of hands in a hospital is that pathogens (germs that can cause disease) can be carried on hands from patient to patient. Our employees have been instructed to wash their hands with soap and water if they are visibly soiled. If there is no visible soil on the hands, an alcohol-based hand rinse, provided in dispensers, may be used for cleansing. We also encourage visitors to practice hand hygiene, especially cleansing the hands when entering and leaving patients’ rooms just as employees have been instructed to do.

Hand Hygiene in the Community

Why is hand hygiene so important?

Washing your hands and your children’s hands or using an alcohol-based hand rinse product is the way to help stop the spread of germs. You can’t avoid collecting germs on your hands, but you can reduce the chance of infecting yourself and others by knowing when to cleanse your hands.

When should you cleanse your hands?

Adults should cleanse their hands before:

• Cooking or eating
• Breastfeeding a baby
• Feeding a baby, child or adult any food or fluids
• Taking medication or giving it to another person
• Touching any type of skin wound

Adults should cleanse their hands after:

• Using a toilet
• Helping a child or disabled adult use a toilet
• Changing a diaper
• Caring for someone who may have an infection
• Handling pets or animals
• Cleaning pet cages or litter boxes
• Wiping noses
• Performing any other activities that would soil your hands

When should children cleanse their hands?

Children should cleanse their hands before:

• Eating or handling food
• Taking a nap or going to bed at night (thumb or fingers may be placed in mouth while sleeping)

Children should cleanse their hands after:

• Using the toilet
• Having a diaper change
• Playing outdoors
• Playing with animals

What is a good hand washing routine?

• Wet your hands under running water.
• Scrub your hands with soap for 15 seconds.
• Rinse your hands thoroughly under running water.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel.
• Use hand lotion after washing your hands to prevent dryness.

How should parents wash their baby’s hands?

• Wash your baby’s hands with soap and a warm, wet cloth or paper towel.
• Rinse the baby’s hands with another warm, wet cloth.
• Dry the hands with a clean towel.
• A commercial cleansing novelette may be used in the absence of running water.

How should an alcohol-based rinse be used:

• Apply product to palm of one hand (read label regarding amount).
• Rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry (about 15-25 seconds).

You can find more information by visiting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/. You may also contact me for any questions at 423-743-1210 and I will be happy to assist you.

Cynthia Bates, RN, CIC
Director of Infection Control and Education