Clean Hands Save Lives

Cleaning our hands is the most effective way to stop the spread of germs. Consider everything our hands do in a single day: opening doors, preparing meals, and offering comfort. 

They come into contact with countless surfaces and people, often picking up invisible germs. These germs can easily enter our bodies when we touch our mouths, noses, or eyes and can be passed on to others. 

That's why hand hygiene is considered a first line of defense against many infections, from the common cold to more serious health threats like respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses.

Let's start with the basics.

Moments That Call for Clean Hands

Knowing when to clean your hands is just as important as knowing how. Washing or sanitizing at the right time helps break the chain of infection before it begins. Here are key moments when hand hygiene is essential

• Before and after eating, preparing food, or treating a wound
• After using the toilet, changing diapers, or helping someone use the restroom
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After touching garbage, animal waste, or cleaning products
• After handling money, public surfaces, or being in crowded places
• After touching raw meat, poultry, or seafood
• Whenever your hands are visibly dirty or feel greasy

A Step-by-Step Habit That Protects

Here's how to wash your hands properly

• Wet your hands with clean, running water—warm or cold. Turn off the tap & apply soap.
• Rub your hands together with soap and water to lather them. Remember to cover the backs of your hands, between your fingers, & under your nails.
• Scrub for at least 20 seconds. A good trick is to hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
• Rinse well under clean water
• Dry your hands using a clean towel. You can also air-dry them.

Note: If soap and water aren't immediately available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 55-60% alcohol is a safe and effective alternative. Still, it is not a replacement when hands are visibly soiled.

What Patients and Visitors Need to Know About Hand Hygiene in Hospitals

In healthcare settings, hand hygiene takes on even greater importance. Patients may already have weakened immune systems, open wounds, or invasive devices like catheters or IV lines, making them more vulnerable to infections. Germs that may be harmless to healthy individuals can pose serious risks here. That's why both patients and visitors have an essential role to play.

When patients should clean their hands

• Before eating or drinking
• After using the restroom
• After touching any surfaces in their hospital room (like bedrails, remotes, or doorknobs)
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose
• Before and after touching their wound dressings or medical devices
• Any time hands look or feel dirty

When visitors should clean their hands

• Upon entering and leaving the patient's room
• Before and after touching the patient
• After using the restroom or touching shared hospital surfaces
• After coughing, sneezing, or handling personal items like mobile phones or bags

Note: In most hospitals, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are placed at entrances and inside rooms for easy access. Patients and visitors should use them and speak up if healthcare workers forget to clean their hands. 

A message from Sterling Hospital

At Sterling Hospital, patient safety is our highest priority, starting with something as essential as clean hands. On this Hand Hygiene Day, we stand with healthcare professionals, patients, and communities worldwide to reinforce a simple truth: hand hygiene saves lives. 

Whether you're at home, at work, or within our hospital walls, we urge everyone to stay informed, stay mindful, and make hand hygiene a daily habit. Together, we can reduce the risk of infections and build a healthier, safer environment for all.