Hand Hygiene

Author(s):
Janet Haas, PhD, RN, CIC Principal Consulting Epidemiologist

Innovative Infection Prevention
Petersburgh, NY

Hannah Newman, MPH, CIC Director of Epidemiology

Lenox Hill Hospital Department of Epidemiology
New York, NY

Abstract

Hand hygiene is a critical component of patient and employee safety. Effective patient safety and infection prevention and control programs require that healthcare personnel be familiar with hand hygiene recommendations and consistently adhere to them. This chapter provides the reader with information to successfully implement a hand hygiene program in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the World Health Organization’s guidelines for hand hygiene in healthcare settings, and the Joint Commission’s requirements.