Hand Hygiene Guidelines Updated

Hand hygiene has been an essential part of fighting off infections both within healthcare facilities and outside of it. According to a survey by the Bradly Corporation, 93 percent of Americans believe that handwashing is important to maintaining their overall health.  

Vigorous washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is more effective because the friction helps kill more of the viral particles from viruses, such as norovirus. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 74 percent of Americans have increased their handwashing habits to protect themselves from viruses.  

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, American Hospital Association and The Joint Commission recently came together to publish "SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice recommendation: Strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene: 2022 update" which gives two new recommendations on how to improve hand hygiene. 

The seven recommendations include: 

1.) Promote the maintenance of healthy hand skin and fingernails. 

2.) Select appropriate products. 

3.) Ensure the accessibility of hand hygiene supplies. 

4.) Ensure appropriate glove use to reduce hand and environmental contamination. 

5.) Take steps to reduce environmental contamination associated with sinks and sink drains. 

6.) Monitor adherence to hand hygiene.  

7.) Provide timely and meaningful feedback to enhance a culture of safety.