Background Image: Image: Prevent infections and ask caregivers to wash their hands.
Background Image:
Prevent Infections and Ask Caregivers to Wash Their Hands
1 in 25 people who are hospitalized will get an infection.
50% of providers fail to perform hand hygiene. Help stop the spread of infections. Ask caregivers to wash their hands before touching you. If you see a health care provider reaching for you without having washed, ask them to do so. Gentle, but assertive reminders can be lifesaving.
How Can We Prevent Infections?
- Wash hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds
- Ask providers and caregivers to use alcohol-based hand rub or wash their hands with soap and water for 20-30 seconds
- Don’t ask for antibiotics for viral infections or when not needed
- If prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take the full course
- Remove devices (catheters, lines, drains, etc.) as quickly as possible (can lower risk of infection if no longer medically needed)
- Ask questions about/confirm medication instructions
View Speak Up to Prevent Infections View Speak Up to Prevent Infections
Did You Know Only 5% of People Wash Their Hands Correctly?
- Always wash hands with soap and water or sanitize hands with alcohol-based hand rub (if soap and water are not available).
- Make sure you’re washing your hands for 20 seconds by singing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Learn more about handwashing at home, at play and out and about here.
- The following resources are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Hand hygiene in health care settings: Clean hands count for safe healthcare
- Hand hygiene at home, work, traveling or in the community: Clean hands save lives
A Helpful Reminder
Don’t let anyone touch you until you’ve seen them:
- Wash their hands
- Wash before putting gloves on
- Use instruments that are opened from sterilized packaging; or
- Wipe and sanitize instruments that will touch you
So, the next time you suspect a health-care worker may have skipped the soap or hand sanitizer, don’t hold back. Everyone benefits when fewer germs are spread around.
Resources and Tools:
- Video: Let's Talk About Step # 4 with Ed Pollak, MD, Medical Director and Patient Safety Officer, The Joint Commission
- Joint Commission infection prevention and control resources
- Joint Commission Speak Up to Prevent Infections
- How Face Masks Work and Which Ones Protect Best Against COVID-19
- Infection Prevention is Everyone’s Business
- Visit the TakeCharge website