“Clean hands count for safer healthcare” is a campaign by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Why did I decide to write about it? Cause there is a presence of healthcare-associated infection (WHO 2; Mathur 611). This should not be the case since people rely on the healthcare industry to provide them with the utmost healthcare. The role of hand hygiene in healthcare settings is the prevention and spreading of germs, infection and disease. Anyone in a healthcare setting must learn and remember about good hand hygiene because it reduces the risk of infection and spreading germs.
Hand hygiene was not always practiced. It was started by Ignaz Semmelweis in 1847, who found out that medical staff was transferring puerperal fever from dead bodies to themselves and others (Global Handwashing Partnership, “History”). Semmelweis told all healthcare staff to wash their hands with chlorinated lime, which lead to puerperal fever related death’s rate to drop ten-folds (Mathur 612). Since this discovery, many have adopted guidelines for handwashing in healthcare settings.
Practicing good hand hygiene is the most important and simplest way to prevent infection and prevent the spread of germs, despite the natural bacterial flora on hands (Mathur 613). This means that all healthcare workers must do either technique of handwashing when hands are visibly dirty, contaminated, or the use of the restroom (CDC 32). The techniques include washing hands with either alcohol-based sanitizer or with soap and water for at least 20 seconds by covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers (CDC, “Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings”; WHO 13).
Proper hand hygiene must be the norm in healthcare settings. Healthcare providers and personnel promote good health behavior and should not be the reason for the spreading of germs. It is essential that the technique of handwashing is an educational priority. Hence, that the role of hand hygiene in healthcare settings is to prevent infection and not to allow infection.
My name is Amanda Doel, I'm a blogger and writer. Recently, I am writing more and more so that people would learn more useful information.