Hand Hygiene Campaign
Hand hygiene reduces the incidence of
Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs)
Spread of Germs
How do my hands spread germs from one patient to another?
• By Touching patients without washing or without sanitizing hands
after touching contaminated equipment and surfaces
• By Touching patients after Improper hand washing or Improper use
of hand sanitizers
• By Touching patients when No Hand Hygiene has been performed
BEFORE
AFTER
Compliance
If you are interested in being a member of the SOAP SQUAD contact
Stephanie Dubik @ extension 6362
sdubik@virginiahospitalceneter.com
To be a member of your unit based committee speak to your manager
MRSA Acquisition Rate
Hand Hygiene Compliance
6.0
100%
90%
80%
70%
4.0
60%
50%
3.0
40%
2.0
30%
Hand Hygiene Compliance Rate
MRSA Acquisition Rate
5.0
20%
1.0
0%
Aug-10
Jul-10
Jun-10
May-10
Apr-10
Mar-10
Feb-10
Jan-10
Dec-09
Nov-09
Oct-09
Sep-09
Aug-09
Jul-09
Jun-09
May-09
0.0
Apr-09
10%
Month-Year
Impact of Hand Hygiene Compliance on MRSA Acquisition
When to perform hand hygiene?
ENTERING and EXITING
• Perform Effective Hand Hygiene when
ENTERING the Patient’s room
• Perform Effective Hand Hygiene when
EXITING the Patient’s room
Fingernails and Jewelry
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), Areas
beneath the fingernails keeps high concentrations of bacteria even after
careful handwashing or the use of surgical scrubs.
• Artificial nails and gel/shellac-painted nails are not allowed for any staff
member who provides direct patient care. Artificial nails are more likely to
harbor(keep) gram-negative pathogens on their fingertips that persist even
after handwashing.
•This include artificial nails, tips, wraps, overlays, gel/shellac paint, and any
other addition to a natural nail, excluding approved polish. Nail polish of a
neutral color on natural nails is permitted as long as it is intact and is not
chipped or peeling.
•Nails length must be ≤ 2 mm.
Jewelry makes a good hiding place for bacteria
including rings, bracelets, and watches.
Rings, bracelets and watches should be removed
in the NICU,L/D, Mother/Baby, OR.
•All other units jewelry should be appropriate and is discouraged.
Hand Hygiene with
SOAP and WATER is REQUIRED
• After using the restroom
• When hands are visibly soiled
• Before Eating
• Patients with Clostridium Difficile
(C-diff)/Norovirus
Bacteria is Everywhere!
It’s on us and in our Environment.
It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent
Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI’s).