Importance of Handwashing for Providers and Patients

Message Details
Date Sent: 10/05/2016 01:27 PM EDT
Sender: Michigan Health Alert Network
Subject: Importance of Handwashing for Providers and Patients

Message:

Due to recent shigellosis activity in Genesee and Saginaw Counties, MDHHS is reminding health care providers across the state of the importance of hand washing in the prevention of communicable diseases, like shigellosis, influenza, norovirus and others.
Careful handwashing at the following times is key to prevention:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
  
• Before eating food
  
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
  
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
  
• After using the toilet
  
• After changing diapers or cleaning up after a child who has used the toilet
  
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
  
• After handling pet food or pet treats
  
• After touching garbage
  
  Handwashing is most effective when you follow these steps:
  

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands between your fingers, and under your nails.
  
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  
• Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
  
• Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
  

Helpful resources for providers and patients include:
CDC Handwashing webpage can be found at  http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing and includes specific materials such as

• Posters: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/posters.html
  
• Fact sheets: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/fact-sheets.html
  

CDC provider information on prevention and control of Shigella can be found athttp://www.cdc.gov/shigella/prevention-control.html, including a Shigella specific fact sheet for parents, available at http://www.cdc.gov/shigella/pdf/shigella-child-diarrhea-508c.pdf


For more information, contact your local health department or the MDHHS Communicable Disease Division at 517-335-8165.