In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of clean hands in the fight against infections and illness, Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital has started a special campaign to bring hand hygiene information and tools to caregivers and patients to help reduce the spread of infection.

"Our goal is for staff to achieve 100% compliance with the CDC's hand hygiene guidelines," says Geno Murray, C.A. Dean’s President & CEO. "That means washing or sanitizing hands before and after touching every patient. We will be providing everything necessary to make sure this happens, such as installing additional hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the hospital." Staff will be accountable for 100% compliance through job descriptions, performance evaluations and the hospital's code of conduct.

C.A. Dean is so serious about its campaign that staff members are encouraging patients to play an active role and are encouraged to ask doctors, nurses, dieticians - all caregivers - if they have cleaned their hands.

"Statistics show that healthcare professionals nationwide properly clean their hands less than 50% of the time so it's no wonder that unclean hands are considered the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections across the U.S." notes Kim Bussell, Chief Lab Technician and initiative leader.  "Because properly washing hands or using alcohol-based sanitizers are the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs, it's perfectly appropriate for patients to ask their caregivers if they've cleaned their hands."

Bussell emphasizes that C.A. Dean’s staff is expecting patients and family members to ask if they've cleaned their hands, so people shouldn't feel embarrassed about asking. "We want patients and their families to become partners with our team to help prevent illnesses. Working together will allow us to create the safest environment possible."

Did you Know?  Unclean hands harbor germs, but more importantly that this is the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections nationwide!  To raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene, CA Dean asks you to “Be a Partner in Your Care” by getting involved.

Who should you ask?  Doctors, Nurses, and all other healthcare workers that are involved in your care.  We are waiting for you to ask the question “Have you cleaned your Hands?”

When should you ask?  Any time a healthcare worker enters your room and is about to touch you or touch things that are going to be used in your care.

Why should you ask?  Here are a few facts that will help answer that question.  Nearly 22 million school days are lost due to the common cold alone. Some viruses and bacteria can live 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. 2.5 million consumers develop hospital acquired infections. Healthcare workers perform hand hygiene less than 50% of the time and hand hygiene is the single most important thing we can do to prevent infection.

Be a partner in your care. The staff at CA Dean is committed to achieving 100% compliance with the CDC’s hand hygiene guidelines because one infection caused by unclean hands is one too many.