It’s no secret that hospitals are hotbeds for infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that hospital-acquired infections account for 1 in 25 patients admitted to a hospital in the United States. This is a staggering statistic, and it can be reduced through proper hand hygiene practices. This blog post will discuss the importance of hand hygiene and how it can help reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Prevent the spread of germs
More often than not, hospital-acquired infections are caused by the spread of germs. Germs can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces or by coming into contact with an infected person. These germs can then cause infections, which can be severe or even life-threatening. For example, the bacteria Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a common cause of hospital-acquired diseases. This bacteria can cause severe diarrhea, leading to dehydration and death. This is where the importance of hand hygiene should be emphasized because it can help reduce the spread of germs that cause hospital-acquired infections. When everyone practices proper hand hygiene, it creates a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.
Reduce the bacteria on your hands
Another way that hand hygiene can help reduce hospital-acquired infections is by reducing the number of bacteria on your hands. Bacteria are constantly present on your skin and can quickly enter the body through cuts, abrasions, or mucous membranes. For instance, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is frequently found on the skin and in the noses of healthy people. This bacteria can cause serious infections, such as pneumonia, blood poisoning, and bone infections. Pneumonia is a hazardous infection because it can lead to death. By reducing bacteria on your hands, you’re also reducing your risk of coming into contact with these dangerous bacteria.
How to practice hand hygiene
- Washing with soap and water
There are many ways to practice proper hand hygiene. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is equivalent to singing “Happy Birthday” twice. In this case, it’s better to err on the side of caution and wash your hands for a more extended period than not to wash them long enough. Using soap and water is vital because they help remove dirt, grime, and bacteria from your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly, including under your nails and between your fingers. To do this effectively, use a clean towel or paper towel to turn off the faucet. This way, you won’t have to touch the contaminated faucet handle after you’ve washed your hands.
- Use alcohol-based sanitizers
Without soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. This percentage is significant because it ensures that the hand sanitizer effectively kills bacteria. Hand sanitizers are convenient because they can be used anywhere and don’t require water. However, they’re not as effective as soap and water in removing dirt and grime from your hands. This is because hand sanitizers don’t remove all of the bacteria on your hands, but they kill the bacteria that are present. So, it’s still necessary to wash your hands with soap and water when you have the opportunity.
- Use gloves when necessary
Another way to practice hand hygiene is to use gloves when necessary. Gloves should be used when contacting blood, body fluids, or mucous membranes. Blood, body fluids, and mucous membranes can contain harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Gloves help to protect you from coming into contact with these bacteria. In addition, gloves should be worn when you’re cleaning up after a patient or when you’re handling hazardous materials. For example, in changing a patient’s dressing, use gloves to avoid getting in contact with the wound. Remove your gloves when you’re finished. You should also dispose of your gloves in a designated area.
- Avoid touching your face
You’re transferring the bacteria on your hands to your face when you touch your face, which can increase the likelihood of developing an infection. To avoid this, keep your hands away from your face. In particular, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Your eyes, nose, and mouth are all mucous membranes, which can quickly become infected. If you must touch your face, wash your hands with soap and water first. Alternatively, wear a face mask to help protect your mucous membranes from bacteria or simply help keep you from touching your face.
When to practice hand hygiene
It’s vital to practice hand hygiene throughout the day. This includes before and after you eat, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after interacting with a sick person. Before you eat, you should wash your hands with soap and water to remove any bacteria that may be present in your food, and after, to remove any bacteria that may have been transferred from your food to your hands. After using the restroom, you should wash your hands with soap and water to remove any bacteria that may be present on your body. You should also wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, as this can transfer bacteria from your hands to your face.
You should wash your hands after caring for a sick person. This includes shaking their hands, hugging them, or touching anything they’ve touched. As much as possible, you should also practice hand hygiene after coming into contact with any surface that might be contaminated with bacteria, such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops. These surfaces can harbor bacteria that can cause infections. In addition, you should wash your hands before and after you care for a patient. A patient’s environment is often contaminated with bacteria, so practicing hand hygiene is crucial to protect yourself from these bacteria. By practicing hand hygiene regularly, you can help reduce your risk of developing an infection as well as spreading germs and bacteria.
Hand hygiene is an integral part of infection control, and it’s something that everyone should practice. By washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and avoiding touching your face, you can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections. When everyone practices proper hand hygiene, it creates a cleaner and safer environment for everyone.