Hand Hygiene

• Perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub

• Upon arriving to work
• Before and after touching the patient
• Before handling an invasive device for patient care
• After contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or wound dressings
• If moving from a contaminated body site to another body site during care of the same patient
• After contact with inanimate surfaces and objects including medical equipment in the immediate vicinity of the patient or after removing sterile or non-sterile gloves
• Before handling medication
• Before eating or drinking 
• Prior to leaving work

1. Apply product to palm of one hand and rub hands together covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. 

• Perform hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water

• When visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids
• After using the toilet

1. Wet hands first with water. Avoid using hot water, because repeated exposure to hot water may increase the risk of dermatitis.   
2. Apply the soap to hands. 
3. Rub hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers.  
4. Rinse hands with water. 
5. Dry thoroughly with a disposable towel.  
6. Use towel to turn off the faucet.  
7. Throw away the towel without touching the trash can with your hands. 

• Wear gloves

After:

• Touching blood and body fluids
• Touching mucous membranes (e.g. inside mouth, rectum, vagina)
• Touching any non-intact skin, or when the health care worker’s skin is not intact
• Handling items or surfaces soiled by blood or other body fluids or when processing blood or any body fluid specimen

• Change gloves

After:

• Contact with each patient. 
• Contact with materials that may contain a high concentration of microorganisms.

After removing gloves, perform hand washing

1. Nails must be clean and free of chips or cracks
2. Nails must be kept at a length that does not impede the ability to perform job duties. 
   • For clinical team members this includes donning and doffing gloves as well as the ability to perform procedures.
3.  Applications to nails (real or artificial) are not permitted (e.g., gems, crystals, and other decorative items applied to the surface). 

1. During work hours, all staff at the clinical (health center) sites may use only Westside approved anti-microbial hand moisturizer, as provided. 
2. Lotions and creams help prevent and decrease skin dryness that can result from cleaning your hands.