Clean Hands Count
Clean Hands Save Lives in Healthcare
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This World Hand Hygiene Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched “Clean Hands Count,” a new hand hygiene campaign focused on improving adherence to hand hygiene recommendations, dispelling myths and misperceptions about hand hygiene, and empowering patients.
An estimated 722,000 healthcare-associated infections occur each year in U.S. hospitals. About 75,000 patients with these infections die during their hospital stays. Although hands are known to be a major factor in germ spread in healthcare facilities, studies show that adherence to CDC hand hygiene recommendations remains low among providers, with clinicians on average cleaning their hands less than half of the times they should.
CDC’s new campaign uses dramatic imagery and active messages to catch healthcare providers’ attention, dispel myths about hand hygiene, improve hand hygiene practices, and ultimately stop the spread of dangerous infections.
For more details see the full press release.
Clean Hands Count logo (animated)
Clean Hands Count
Clean Hands Count
When using alcohol–based sanitizers: put product on hands and rub together – cover all surfaces until hands feel dry – this should take around 20 seconds
People often miss certain areas when cleaning their hands using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Alcohol based sanitizer is more effective
Clean Hands Count
Its Okay to Speak Up
Protect Yourself Zone
Clean Hands for C. Difficile
Clean Hands Count
Know How Germs Spread
Alcohol Based Sanitizer
Technique Matters When Cleaning Your Hands
C. Difficile Requires Special Care
Gloves are not Enough
Contact Information
CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286
media@cdc.gov
Spokespersons
Arjun Srinivasan, MD
Arjun Srinivasan, MD – Associate Director for Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Programs, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Clifford McDonald, MD
Clifford McDonald, MD – Associate Director of Science, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion
Arjun Srinivasan, MD
Clifford McDonald, MD
Related Links
- Press Release: Clean Hands Count
- CDC Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings Website
- CDC Clean Hands Count Campaign Website
- Clean Hands Count Campaign Materials For Healthcare Providers:
- Clean Hands Count Campaign Materials For Patients and Visitors:
- CDC Clostridium difficile Infection Website
- CDC Healthcare-Associated Infections Website
- Page last reviewed: May 4, 2016
- Page last updated: May 4, 2016
- Content source: