. . . And Away Goes Infection Down the Drain

While proper handwashing is right up there on everyone's list of patient-care virtues, today's hectic pace sometimes tempts us to skip this important part of our routine and a key element in disease prevention.

Even if you're not directly involved in patient care, proper handwashing techniques are also vital in helping to promote wellness and good hygiene and prevent the spread of disease among our visitors, other staff members and our families at home.

That's why Jefferson is launching a handwashing awareness campaign: Educational programs will be planned for the medical and nursing staff; in addition, handwashing information will be added to the patient handbook and the train-the-trainer safety and infection control programs for hospital staff.

On Thursday, February 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., practitioners of infection control will staff the Rainbow Booth in the west Atrium cafeteria and distribute information on handwashing and free giveaways, including samples of soap.

Future issues of JeffNEWS will carry more information about the handwashing awareness campaign and our special event ­p; the Handwashing Olympics, on Thursday, March 14. Watch your patient care unit's bulletin board for Olympics registration information.

Handwashing Tips
To keep your hands as germ-free as possible, they must be washed:

Before you
-Provide direct patient care
-Perform invasive procedures
-Work with patients and in situations governed by isolation policies
-Enter some designated units (such as the bone marrow transplant unit and the intensive care nurseries)
-Eat
-Prepare food

After you
-Provide direct patient care
-Remove protective gloves
-Work with patients and in situations governed by isolation policies
-Handle contaminated materials (especially blood and body fluids)
-Become soiled from patients' or your own respiratory secretions
-Use the bathroom

Be sure to
-Take enough time, a minimum of 10 seconds
-Use warm, running water
-Use enough soap
-Use enough friction
-Rinse well
-Dry hands thoroughly
-Turn off faucet with your paper towel

Alternative
-Use antimicrobial towelettes when a sink isn't available