Hand Washing

The Yukon Hospital Corporation believes that the increase in staff and public education related to hand hygiene has resulted in less transmission to germs and less infections.

Hand washing remains the most important infection control activity for staff, patients and visitors at Yukon Hospital Corporation. We regularly have patients in our hospital who are infected with Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (Superbugs). Often these infections are acquired while patients are receiving care at larger hospitals in the south and bring the infection back with them when they return to one of our hospitals.

It is crucial that we are vigilant with hand washing and the use of the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for these patients in order that we can contain the infection and reduce the risk of transmission to other patients in the hospital. These patients need information on the infection so they can self care and understand their role in ensuring their safe care and the safe care of others around them.

To reduce the spread of infection, remember to:

• Use the appropriate application of soap or hand sanitizer,
• Vigorously wash all areas,
• Wash for at least 15 seconds, and
• Ensure hands were thoroughly dried.