Infection Prevention and Control Program
Hand Hygiene
Sparks Health System recognizes the most common means of transmission of infection is by way of the hands. Improved adherence to hand hygiene has been shown to terminate outbreaks in health care facilities, to reduce transmission of resistant organisms like MRSA and reduce overall infection rates. Thus, the health system has adopted strict national guidelines for all areas of the health system to include our physician office settings throughout the region.
In addition to the appropriate use of gloves and traditional hand washing with soap and water the health system also incorporates an alcohol-based hand rub for use by staff and requires staff in direct patient care areas from wearing artificial nails or extensions. With these Standard protocols in place Sparks is succeeding in its fight to prevent the spread of health-care associated infection.
The health system also monitors the compliance with these guidelines through direct staff observation and reports findings to the Infection Control Committee for review and recommendations.
Lastly, the Sparks Health System stresses the importance of hand hygiene education to both its staff, our patients and their families. Yearly, employees are required take online courses and tested to show that they're knowledgeable in infection prevention and control topics. Sparks also provides or makes available educational materials to staff, patients and families on how they can best protect themselves against the spread of infection.
Click below, if you'd like to watch the CDC's Hand Hygiene Saves Lives, a patient admission video:
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)