Let's work together to protect each other from serious infections.

Hand Hygiene

Cleaning your hands is a great way to protect yourself from serious infections. Every patient is at risk of getting an infection while they are being treated for something else. Preventing the spread of germs is especially important in hospitals and other healthcare facilities such as nursing homes.

When to clean your hands:

• After touching bed rails, bedside tables, remote controls or phones.
• Before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Before and after changing bandages.
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• After touching doorknobs.
• Before eating, using soap and water.
• After using the restroom, using soap and water.

Ask everyone to do the same! 

It is OK to say:

• “I didn’t see you clean your hands when you came in. Would you mind cleaning them again before you examine me?”
• “I’m worried about germs spreading in the hospital. Will you please clean your hands once more before you start my treatment?”

Ask visitors to clean their hands, too:

• “You cleaned your hands a while ago when you got here, but could you please clean them again? It would help put me at ease.”

Special Precautions

If a special sign has been placed on the digital room sign at your door, those who enter your room need to take additional safeguards and wear protective clothing. Special precautions help protect everyone.  Failing to follow these precautions may put others at risk. Visitors who fail to wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE) may not be allowed to visit.