BestCare Laboratory Services

HAND HYGIENE SAVES LIVES

Impact of Health-care Acquired Infections Healthcare acquired infections occur

in 5 to 10% of patients admitted to acute care hospitals in the US

Direct costs of excess hospital stay exceed $10 billion annually

Caused over 88,000 deaths in 1995- one death every 6 minutes UPMC Institute for Performance Improvement

Prevention of Health-care Acquired Infections About 1/3 of all Health-care Acquired

infections are Preventable Infection Control measures are

VERY Cost Effective * Hand Hygiene (HH) * Alcohol Sanitation * Antimicrobial Soaps * Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Benefits of Hand Hygiene can decrease infection rates is the most important procedure

for preventing health-care acquired infections

can prevent transmission of bacteria to other Health Care Workers and their families Bryan, Infection Control in Critical Care, 1996:7:617 MMWR, 1987:37:24 – Copyright UPMC Institute for Performance Improvement

CDC Recommendations for Alcohol Based Hand Rub If hands are not visibly soiled, use

an alcohol based hand rub * apply golf ball size portion to palm of one hand and rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

CDC Recommendations for Hand Washing (Soap & Water) If hands are visibly soiled or

contaminated with proteinaceous material, blood or other body fluids: wash hands with either a non-microbial soap and water or an antimicrobial soap and water for at least 15 seconds.

Soap and Water must if patient is diagnosed with C. difficile.

Hand Washing Technique Avoid hot water – hot water may increase

the risk of dermatitis Wet hands with water Apply soap Rub hands together for at least 15

seconds Rinse hands Dry thoroughly with a disposable towel Use towel to turn off the faucet

When To Perform Hand Hygiene - THE BEFORES

Before having direct patient contact.

Before donning gloves when performing phlebotomy.

NOTE: Always dispose of gloves before leaving the patient’s room.

When To Perform Hand Hygiene – THE AFTERS After contact with patient’s intact

skin. After contact with bodily fluids or

excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin or wound dressings.

After contact with inanimate objects (i.e., medical equipment) in the immediate vicinity of the patient.

After removing gloves.

Making a Difference It is estimated that in US hospitals, appropriate

hand hygiene only occurs about 50% of the time. Some ICU’s rates have been reported as low as

17% Most attempts to improve hand hygiene are only

associated with a short lived improvement. CHANGING THE CULTURE IS THE ONLY WAY

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. CHANGING THE CULTURE REQUIRES ACTIVE

INVOLVEMENT FROM ALL WITH A COMMITMENT TO PERFORM APPROPRIATE HAND HYGIENE 100% OF THE TIME.

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