Hand Hygiene

Reducing cross-transmission of infection through proper hand hygiene.

Since COVID-19 became a pandemic, people everywhere have become much more mindful of the need for proper hand hygiene. The evidence is undisputed that strict adherence to hand hygiene reduces the risk of cross-transmission of infections. It is one of the most important elements of infection control. Amazingly, it was only discovered in the mid-nineteenth century that handwashing could inhibit the spread of disease.

Understanding How Germs Spread

Germs can spread directly from other people or from surfaces when you:

Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
Touch a contaminated surface or object
Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects

Make it a habit and teach it to your children: Always wash your hands when you enter your home

When to Wash Hands

Handwashing throughout the day is important, and even more so during an outbreak, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Always remember to wash hands in these situations:

Before leaving the bathroom — both at home and in public bathrooms
Before, during, and after preparing food, especially raw food
Before and after eating
Before and after caring for someone sick with symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After changing diapers or helping a child with toileting
After blowing nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After touching garbage
After putting on shoes
After traveling on public transport
After using public computers, pumping gas, touching cash/coins, other people’s phones, elevator buttons, etc.

How to Wash Hands Correctly

Wet hands with clean, running water (preferably warm), turn off tap, apply soap

Never wash hands in a pan of water; it must be running water

Lather hands by rubbing them together with soap

Backs of hands, between fingers, under nails

Friction of rubbing helps loosen germs and debris

Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to hum “Happy Birthday” song twice

Rinse hands well under clean, running water

Turn off tap with paper towel to prevent re-contaminating clean hands

Dry hands with clean towel, or air dry them

When to Use Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) protects against spread of germs/viruses when handwashing with soap and water isn’t possible
Carry a small bottle of sanitizer in purse or pocket
Use after touching surfaces or people throughout the day
Use when you have touched your own eyes, nose, or mouth

How to Use Hand Sanitizer

Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
Put enough sanitizer on hands to cover all surfaces (about a dime-sized dollop)
Rub hands together until they feel dry - around 20 seconds
Do NOT rinse or wipe off hand sanitizer before it is dry

HELPFUL REMINDERS

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth – these are key access points for germs to enter body.
Avoid shaking hands during flu season and virus outbreaks.
Always wash your hands after any public outing (grocery store, work, school, etc.) or use of public transportation as germs can remain active for many hours on frequently touched surfaces like door handles, revolving doors, escalator handrails, push-front bins, and arm rests.

Sources:

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