Hand hygiene is critical to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others all year round. Handwashing serves as a DIY vaccine against diarrheal and respiratory illness.
When should you wash your hands?
How should you wash your hands?
It’s important to remember, the space under your fingernail can harbor bacteria as well so be sure to wash under your fingernails. It’s recommended that health care providers wear natural fingernails with tips less than a quarter inch long. What if you don’t have access to soap and clean, running water? If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Keep in mind while sanitizers can reduce the number of germs in some situations, they do not remove all germs and might not remove harmful chemicals. How do you use hand sanitizers?
What about C. diff? Hand sanitizers are not effective against C. diff, so if you have it or are caring for or visiting someone with C. diff be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. Be sure to check out OPHIE’s Hand Hygiene training! It’s worth .5 CEU’s!
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AuthorOPHIE records and analyzes data from disease investigations, identifies risk factors, and provides education on disease prevention in Nevada. Archives
November 2018
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