Hand Hygiene

The purpose of hand hygiene in health care is to prevent the spread of germs and healthcare-associated infections, making it the single most important action for the protection and safeguarding of everyone.

Everyone—including health care workers, patients, residents, volunteers, families, and visitors—must wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, especially after using the washroom and before eating.

Infection prevention can be achieved by following the 4 moments of hand hygiene.

Alcohol based hand rub is the preferred method for performing hand hygiene unless hands are visibly soiled or the individual as C. difficile, in which case using soap and water is ideal.