Diabetes Education Event

Taking Control of Your Diabetes Conference October 20, 2007     Schedule      Poster

"Take Action" Clean Hands Campaign

Don’t Get Caught Dirty Handed!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to clean our hands.  "Hand Hygiene" is the newest term to describe washing or decontaminating hands.  Washing hands helps to physically remove germs by friction, and to rinse them down the drain.  While alcohol-containing preparations reduce germs on your hands (decontamination), they cannot remove visible soil or contamination.  It is always important to wash hands any time they are visibly dirty.

How to Wash Your Hands the Right Way

• If using a cloth towel to dry hands, have it close at hand before you start to wash.
• Wet hands with water.
• Apply soap to hands- lotion soap is best; germs can live on bar soap, but if used, it should be stored on a rack between uses.
• Rub hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds (say the ABCs or sing "Row, Row, Row your Boat" to make sure you've washed long enough).
• Cover all surfaces of hands, fingers, and thumbs.
• Rinse hands well to remove soap residue.
• Dry hands gently using soft paper towels; if using cloth towels, remember that damp towels may harbor germs.
• Use towel to turn off faucet.

 

When to Wash Your Hands

Children and adults should wash with plain or antimicrobial soap:

• When hands are visibly dirty
• Before you eat
• Before you prepare food items
• After touching raw meats like chicken or beef
• After contact with any body fluids like blood, urine or vomit
• After changing infant or adult diapers
• After touching animals and pets
• After using the restroom
• After removing medical gloves

 

Handwashing Facts

In an August 2005 survey sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and the Soap and Detergent Association, 91 percent of adults say they always wash their hands after using public restrooms; however just 83 percent were observed doing so. Americans also say they always wash their hands after using the bathroom in their home (83%) and before handling or eating foods (77 %). However, smaller percentages of Americans always wash after petting a dog or cat (42%), after coughing or sneezing (32%), or after handling money (21%).

Colds

According to the CDC, there are more than 52 million cases of the common cold each year among Americans under the age of 17. Nearly 22 million school days are lost due to the common cold alone. Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.

Children have about 6-10 colds a year, according to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. One important reason colds are so common in children is because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. In families with children in school, the number of colds per child can be as high as 12 a year. Adults average 2-4 colds a year, although the range varies widely.

Flu

The CDC estimates that 10-20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are two the three times more likely than adults to the flu, and children frequently spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from flu, the CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications each year.

Foodborne Illness

Failure to wash, or insufficiently washing hands, contributes to almost 50 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks, says the CDC. Hands can also transfer germs from contaminated raw meat, eggs, and poultry to other foods.

There are more than 250 foodborne illnesses. Food-related disease costs the United States between $5-$6 billion each year in health care expenditures and productivity losses.

 

Pets

All pet owners need to take adequate measures after handling and cleaning up after their pets, including proper handwashing. Dog and cat saliva can contain any of more than 100 different germs that can make you sick.

 

This material presented by the KRMC Infection Prevention & Control Department/Quality Management Services.

Other Topics:  Flu Vaccine • Home Medications • Mosquitos, Ticks, & Other Bugs • Disaster Preparation   

For more information on "Hand Hygiene," visit the Medical Library at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, or contact the American Society for Microbiology, the Take Action: Clean Hands Campaign, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.