National Handwashing Week
Mahaska Health Partnership
Mahaska Health Partnership Stresses Good Hand Hygiene
Oskaloosa – During National Hand Washing Awareness Week, Dec. 5 through 11, Mahaska Health Partnership stresses the importance of washing your hands.
“Hand washing is the easiest, most inexpensive way to prevent the spread of infection and disease,” MHP Infection Prevention Registered Nurse Gloria Reed said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), hand transmission is a critical factor in the spread of bacteria and viruses causing disease such as colds, flu and food borne illness. “Hand washing is crucial no matter where you are,” Reed explained.
“In your home, hand washing prevents the spread of infection between family members. In public, it prevents the spread of infection throughout a community and in the healthcare setting, it prevents the spread of infection among patients.”
__ explained that in the healthcare setting, very strict hand hygiene guidelines are followed. Staff must use alcohol-based hand rub before and after every patient contact, they must wear gloves when the situation involves the possible transfer of bodily fluids and they must wash their hands whenever they are visibly dirty, as well as many other times throughout their shift.
“Everyone should wash their hands frequently,” Reed stressed. She said it is especially important to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing if you used your hand to cover your mouth; before, during and after preparing food; before you eat and after you use the bathroom; when your hands are dirty; and when someone you live with is sick.
The CDC explains how to clean your hands the right way:
1. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
2. Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces.
3. Continue rubbing hands for 15 to 20 seconds, about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
4. Rinse hands well under running water.
5. Dry your hands using a paper towel or an air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
“If we all wash our hands with soap and water when they are visibly dirty, or at least use an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, the spread of infection and illness in our community could be greatly reduced,” Reed said.
Source: MHP Press Release
