Hand Hygiene 101

New Hire Orientation 2013

Debbie Rich, RN, BSN, MM& Michael Boyer

Infection Control• Fighting to keep patients,

visitors and employees healthy• Located on the lobby floor

– G-99 C– Next to Employee Health Office

• Contact Info– Phone outside- (617)-573-3724– Ext.- 33724– Beeper- 1191

The Germ Army

• 2- 10 million bacteria between our fingertips and elbow– That’s just one arm!

• Damp hands transfer germs 1000 x’s faster

• Germs double after using restroom

• Germs can stay alive for months– MRSA: 3-6 months on clothes

• Bacteria can multiple every 15 seconds

They Are Everywhere!

• Germs do not discriminate– Old, young, sick, healthy

• Can be from patients or staff• High touch areas:– Desk– Phones– Pens/ pencils– Doorknobs– Files

Infections

• 2 Million patients a year develop a hospital acquired infection– MRSA, C-DIFF– Help not hurt

• CMS– Funding from Medicare/

Medicaid

• ENT = 17 %– National Avg. = 50%

• Eye = 3%

Personal Protective Equipment

• Hospital scrubs should not be worn to work or worn home

• Masks- disposable, should not be worn outside of OR/treatment room

• OSHA states no open-toed shoes should not be worn in patient care areas

Hand Hygiene

The number one way to stop infections and the leading cause of infections in a health care

facility is the lack of hand hygiene

Do It For….

• The patients• Your co-workers

Your self• Your family• Your friends• Your pets

Treat every patient/person like your own mother