We need your help too!
- Germs spread on hands. Protect yourself and your family members by asking visitors to perform Hand Hygiene before and after entering your patient room or the patient room of your loved one.
- Hand Hygiene prevents the spread of infections including hospital-acquired infections, the flu, and even the common cold!
- You should practice Hand Hygiene frequently especially in the hospital to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. The CDC recommends performing Hand Hygiene:
- After touching hospital surfaces (doorknobs, bed rails)
- Before and after changing wound dressings or bandages
- Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- After using the restroom
- Before preparing or eating food
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Alcohol-based hand rubs work well: In fact, they are more effective at killing many microorganisms than soap and water. They are also much faster and result in less dryness of the skin. SOAP AND WATER MUST BE USED IF HANDS ARE VISIBLY SOILED.
- Every healthcare worker at University of Chicago Medicine is expected perform Hand Hygiene before and after contact with every patient- even if they wear gloves. Feel free to remind your healthcare providers to wash their hands.
Did you know there is a proper way to wash your hands?
How to wash your hands with soap and water
How to use alcohol-based hand rub