The importance of hand hygiene in healthcare facilities cannot be overstated. It’s a widely known fact that hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection. Here are four ways to spread your hand hygiene message faster than a sneeze.
Use social media:
Many healthcare organizations reach thousands of former and prospective patients via social media with tips on hand hygiene and other health-related information. This is an easy way to help people avoid getting sick.
Place signage everywhere:
There is no such thing as having too many hand hygiene signs and labels in a facility. If repetition is a concern, consider switching up the content and presentation. There are many straight-forward, humorous, and child-friendly choices available that effectively communicate the importance of proper hand washing and sanitizing. Hand hygiene stations are great choices, since the sign and the solution are so close together.
Keep hand sanitizers stocked:
Perhaps nothing more clearly emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene than maintaining an ample supply of hand sanitizing solutions. Keep bottles and stations in clearly visible locations, observe which are getting used most frequently, and adjust the placement strategy accordingly. Never make someone search too far for hand sanitizer.
Awards for kids:
One of the best ways to ensure that proper hand hygiene is adhered to for years to come is to make sure young ones understand how important it is. Use positive reinforcement tools – such as candy or stickers – when children take the proper steps to help prevent the spread of infection.