Anyone involved in direct inpatient care and/or high-risk patient care will need to be in compliance with the updated Hand Hygiene policy, effective, Monday, March 17.
The major changes within the context of the policy are as follows:
- Routine hand-washing is performed for at least 15 seconds;
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used routinely for hand hygiene, unless hands are visibly soiled;
- No artificial fingernails or extenders are allowed for personnel involved in direct inpatient care and/or the care of high-risk (e.g., immunocompromised) patients;
- Natural nails are to be maintained at a short (1/4 inch or less) length;
- If nail polish is worn, it must not be chipped or peeling.
Origins of the policy
These changes were a direct result of the recently revised “Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC).
The CDC/HICPAC guidelines were published Oct. 25, 2002, in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 51(RR 16); 1-44 (Web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr516a1.htm ).
Areas affected
Although not totally inclusive, some examples of areas/personnel who are involved in direct inpatient care and/or high-risk patient care are:
- Intensive Care Units
- RNs
- MDs
- Radiology
- Phlebotomy
- Dialysis
- Transplant Clinics
- Inpatient Care Areas
- Operating Rooms
- Respiratory Therapy
- Occupational/Physical Therapy
- Transport Services
Excluded areas
Some examples of areas/personnel which may possibly be excluded from the framework of this policy (who are not involved in direct inpatient care and/or high-risk patient care) are:
- Housekeeping
- Dietary
- General out-patient care clinics (do not routinely care for high-risk patients)
- Pharmacy
- IT
- Access
Questions, concerns
If you have questions or concerns regarding this policy contact the following personnel within the department of healthcare epidemiology — Teresa Fitzgerald, 559-7378; Nedra Marion, 559-7968; or Dr. Mark Rupp, 559-5276.