Why should you clean your hands?
Although we might think that germs spread through the air, they are actually most often spread by contact between people’s unclean hands.
Germs can make you sick when they move from your unclean hands into your body through your mouth, nose, eyes and open wounds.
One of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is to clean your hands by washing with soap and water or by applying an alcohol based hand rub product.
By cleaning your hands, you greatly reduce the chance of getting germs during your stay.
When should you clean your hands?
You should clean your hands any time they are visibly soiled.Before you
- Eat; and/or
- Leave your hospital room.
After you
- Use the toilet;
- Have contact with bodily fluids like blood, urine and vomit;
- Touch an animal or pet;
- Blow your nose, cough or sneeze;
- Handled garbage;
- Tend to someone who is sick or injured; and/or
- Remove medical gloves.
How should you clean your hands?Using alcohol based rubAlcohol based hand rubs are the preferred method when your hands are not visibly soiled.
- Apply a “loonie-sized” amount of product to the palm of one hand;
- Rub your hands together, cover all surfaces; and
- Rub until dry.
Handwashing
- Wet your hands with warm running water;
- Apply soap and rub all the surfaces of your hands together making sure to include your wrists for at least 15 seconds;
- Rinse your hands well to remove all the soap; and
- Pat your hands dry with a paper towel and then use it to turn off the tap.
For more information please contact:Grand River Hospital infection prevention and control519-749-4300 ext 2480