Washing your hands – it’s the simplest way to prevent illness and the spread of germs. With H1N1 virus or swine flu making the news, it’s more important than ever to take precautions against disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that hand washing is the best way to prevent infection.
But while we may be washing our hands, are we washing them correctly? Cindy Lott, RN, is an Infection Prevention Specialist at Norman Regional Health System.
“It’s so important to remember to wash your hands. While people may be washing their hands, we want to make sure they are washing them the right way,” Lott said. “Not washing hands long enough or touching the faucet after cleaning hands are two of the biggest mistakes people make.”
Lott offers these easy tips to make sure your digits and palms are properly scrubbed.
Alcohol-based hand rub is also a good option to clean hands. Lott said to check the manufacturer’s recommendation on how much product you should put onto your hands. You should rub hands together until dry, which is usually about 15 to 20 seconds. However, always use soap and water to wash your hands if they are visibly dirty.
Contact Kelly Wells
Norman Regional Health System
Office (405) 307.2143
Fax (405) 307.2144
Email NRHS_Corporate_Communications@nrh-ok.com