Hand Hygiene

Clean hands protect lives. In fact, hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Foam hand sanitizer is available in many locations around the hospital, including just outside each patient room.

Here are a few more useful tips to help reduce the spread of infection:

• Wash your hands before your meals, after using the toilet and before leaving and returning to your room.

• Ask your healthcare provider if they have washed their hands before providing care for you.

• Cough or sneeze into your shoulder or sleeve instead of your hands.

• Keep your mouth covered when you cough or sneeze.

• Dispose of tissues right after use and then wash your hands.

• If family or friends are not feeling well, or have fever, cough or cold, sore throat, diarrhea or vomiting please ask them not to visit.

CPDMH regularly audits its employees to ensure effective hand hygiene practices. To be clear, health care providers are washing their hands. What the provincial audit tool does is help ensure that they are washing them the right way at the right times.