Flu season is in full swing, bringing surges in census in our doctors’ offices, emergency departments and inpatient units.

It’s important to remember that hand hygiene is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection, and compliance is such a focus at Hartford HealthCare that it was recently added to the balanced scorecard.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Clean Hands Count Campaign, poor hand hygiene by healthcare providers contributes to the spread of healthcare-associated infections that affect one in 25 hospital patients every day.

Pamela Harazim, BS, RN, East Region infection preventionist, explains that most germs causing healthcare-associated infections are spread from patient to patient on the hands of healthcare providers. Consider whether your actions put you or your patients at risk of infection. She offers the following tips:

• Clean your hands often to protect yourself and your patients. On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. That means you might be leaving yourself and your patients at risk for potentially deadly infections. Healthcare providers might need to clean their hands as many as 100 times in each 12-hour shift depending on the number of patients and intensity of care.

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is more effective at killing germs on hands than soap and water (except where certain diarrheal illnesses are concerned). It is also less damaging to your hands than soap and water and kills the bad germs you might pick up on your hands while caring for patients. The good germs quickly grow back on your skin.

• Technique matters when cleaning your hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer only works if you use the right amount in the right way. Use enough to cover all surfaces of your hands. If you’ve used the right amount, your hands should stay wet for around 20 seconds.

• Take your time when cleaning your hands with soap and water. Wet your hands first with water, apply the amount of product recommended by the manufacturer, and rub your hands together vigorously for at least 15-20 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers. Rinse your hands with water and use disposable towels to dry. Use a towel to turn off the faucet. Avoid using hot water to prevent drying of skin.

It’s not too late to get your flu shot – learn why and where here.