Hand Hygiene Importance

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections and communicable diseases in long-term care (LTC) settings. Its importance centers on protecting highly vulnerable residents and maintaining a safe healthcare environment that also serves as their home.

Key Reasons for Importance

• Prevention of Outbreaks: LTC facilities are highly susceptible to outbreaks. Proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the transmission of pathogens like Norovirus, influenza, and C. difficile.
• Reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Adherence to hand hygiene standards can prevent up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during care.
• Combatting Antibiotic Resistance: By preventing infections, hand hygiene reduces the need for antibiotics, thereby slowing the rise of multidrug-resistant organisms such as MRSA and VRE.
• Dignified, Person-Centered Care: For residents, performing their own hand hygiene reinforces independence, self-worth, and dignity.

When Hand Hygiene is Required

Everyone should follow the 4 Moments for Hand Hygiene:

1. Before initial contact with a resident or items in their environment.
2. Before performing an aseptic procedure (e.g., wound care, medication prep).
3. After-care involving exposure to body fluids.
4. After contact with a resident or their immediate environment

Best Practices in Long-Term Care

• Preferred Method: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR) with at least 60–70% alcohol is the preferred standard when hands are not visibly soiled. It is faster, more effective at killing germs, and less irritating to the skin than soap.
• Gloves Are Not a Substitute: Hand hygiene must be performed before putting on and after taking off gloves. Pathogens can still contaminate hands through glove defects or during the removal process.

For more information on the importance of hand hygiene and how to perform it. Please see the Public Health Website.