Memorial Empowers Patients with New Hand Hygiene Campaign
Proper Handwashing Technique
Handwashing should take at least 15 seconds to perform. Here’s how:
- Turn on the water, wet your hands, apply soap, lather
- Pay attention to palms, back of hands, wrists, nail beds and between fingers
- Sing the “Happy Birthday” song or “Mary Has a Little Lamb” twice to ensure you are washing for at least 15 seconds
- Rinse hands, holding fingers down but not touching the sink
- Dry hands thoroughly with a paper towel, then turn off the faucet using the paper towel
January 2006 — According to the National Center for Infectious Diseases, frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. To reinforce the importance of this practice, Memorial Healthcare System recently instituted a Hand Hygiene Campaign that focuses on the use of handwashing and alcohol foam by healthcare professionals in all Memorial facilities, as well as in Home Health environments and physicians’ offices. The Campaign also includes a reminder to patients that it is “OK to Ask” these professionals if they have done so.
“Traditionally, patients — and even healthcare workers who visit their own healthcare providers — have been hesitant to ask physicians, nurses, lab technicians and others to wash their hands before providing care,” says Betty Finnk, RN, Infection Control Practitioner at Memorial Regional Hospital. “Our ‘OK to Ask’ program tells patients they needn’t be nervous or shy about making such a request.”
Reminders Are Everywhere
To encourage handwashing, sinks equipped with antimicrobial soap are conveniently located throughout Memorial facilities. In addition, alcohol foam is available in all patient and treatment rooms, and hand hygiene stations (indicated by a small sign and a can of alcohol foam) are located in waiting rooms, main entrances, cafeteria entrances and other patient care areas. Posters reinforce this message, as well.
The multifaceted Hand Hygiene Campaign also includes materials directed to patients and their families. Brochures at each patient’s bedside inform readers that it’s “OK to Ask” professionals to wash their hands prior to providing care.
“Germs and infections can spread easily,” says Betty Finnk. “We tell healthcare professionals to wash their hands or use alcohol foam before and after eating, after touching or shaking hands, whenever they have had contact with body fluids or visibly soiled items, and after using the restroom or changing a diaper. It’s essential to the health of everyone.”