When should you clean your hands?
- Before preparing or eating food
- Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Before and after changing wound dressings or bandages
- After using the restroom
- fter blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching hospital surfaces such as bed rails, bedside tables, doorknobs, remote controls, or the phone
How should you clean your hands? collapsed
With an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Put product on hands and rub hands together
- Cover all surfaces until hands feel dry
- This should take around 20 seconds
With soap and water:
- Wet your hands with warm water. Use liquid soap if possible. Apply a nickel- or quarter-sized amount of soap to your hands.
- Rub your hands together until the soap forms a lather and then rub all over the top of your hands, in between your fingers and the area around and under the fingernails.
- Continue rubbing your hands for at least 15 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
- Rinse your hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel if possible. Then use your paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door if needed.
Protect yourself by asking questions:
- Clean your own hands and ask those around you to do the same.
- Don’t be afraid to use your voice: it’s ok to ask your healthcare provider questions, such as:
- “I didn’t see you clean your hands when you came in, would you mind cleaning them again before you examine me?”
- “I’m worried about germs spreading in the hospital. Will you please clean your hands once more before you start my treatment?”
- Ask your loved ones to clean their hands too:
- “I saw you clean your hands when you arrived some time ago, but would you mind cleaning them again?”