Patients and Families
What is appropriate question for a patient or family members to ask of their care provider?
Can you please wash your hands?
If I am wearing gloves, do I need to clean my hands?
Yes, you need to clean your hands.
Hands must be cleaned before putting on gloves and after removing them. Germs can still spread when wearing gloves.
What are the 4 moments of hand hygiene?
Which part of the hands is missed most often during hand hygiene?
Fingertips and thumbs are most often missed. Don't forget to wash between fingers and wrist.
How many hand hygiene audits are completed monthly by the IPAC team?
The IPAC team completes at least 200 hand hygiene audits per month.
Do patients need to clean their hands while in hospital? If yes, give examples.
Yes, patients need to clean their hands.
Is it true that only health care workers need to perform hand hygiene?
No, everyone—patients, visitors, and families—plays a role in preventing infections.
When should I wash my hands with soap and water?
You should wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly soiled, after using the washroom, when caring for a CDiff patient.
Can rings, bracelets, and long nails can interfere with effective hand hygiene?
Yes rings, bracelets, and long nails can interfere with proper hand hygiene.
Where can I see the results of the monthly hand hygiene audits?
Results are distributed to all clinical units and are posted on the health and safety board.
Do visitors need to clean their hands when visiting?
Yes, visitors should clean their hands when entering and exiting the room.
Does hand sanitizer work better then soap and water?
Soap and water are best when hands are visibly dirty or after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizer works well when hands are not visibly dirty.
When should hand hygiene be performed when wearing gloves?
Hands should be cleaned before putting on gloves and after removing gloves.
Do me hands need to be dry before putting on gloves?
Yes, hands must be dry prior to donning gloves.
Moisture trapped inside gloves creates a warm, damp environment where microorganisms can survive and multiply more easily, increasing the risk of contamination.
If I see a member of the IPAC team in the hallway with a clipboard in hand, what are they doing?
The IPAC team is completing their monthly hand hygiene audits. We are watching staff to ensure they are performing hand hygiene at the proper moments.
Does my patient need to wash their hands before eating?
Yes, patients' hands should be cleaned prior to eating their meals.
Do I only need to clean my hands after using the bathroom?
No, hands should also be cleaned before eating, after coughing or sneezing, after touching surfaces, and before and after patient care.
What is the purpose of Hand Hygiene?
To prevent the transmission of microorganisms
Can I wash my hands with ABHR when my hands are visibly soiled?
No, hands that are visibly soiled should be washed with soap and water.
Why does IPAC complete hand hygiene audits?
IPAC completes hand hygiene audits to ensure staff are remembering to complete hand hygiene at the proper moments. Doing the audits allows us to provide in-the-moment feedback. Raising awareness helps reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Does my patient with CDiff need a bathroom to wash their hands or is alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) ok?
Patients with CDiff should have a dedicated bathroom. They should be washing their hands with soap and water. ABHR does not kill the CDiff spores.
If I am not touching my patient, I do not need to clean my hands before entering the patient room.
This is false. You should be cleaning your hands before entering the room.
Which action best reflects Public Health Ontario’s recommendation to reduce the spread of infection in healthcare settings?
Performing hand hygiene at the 4 Moments, even if gloves are worn
What are the steps of hand washing?
Do IPAC report Hand Hygiene Audits to the Ministry of Health?
Yes, annually a hand hygiene report is submitted to the Ministry of Health. The result of this report is also posted on the PRH website.