Ideas That Work: Do Your Patients Practice Good Hand Hygiene?

You put a significant amount of time and energy into ensuring staff keep their hands clean. The same should hold true for your patients. It’s best to encourage or even require them to wash or degerm their hands prior to surgery, according to Peter B. Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR, an independent consultant who focuses on infection prevention and evidence-based best practices in the OR. The hands of colonized patients can transmit microorganisms that can cause infection, notes Mr. Graves, who says handwashing — for patients and staff alike — is a simple and effective way to ensure everyone comes to surgery clean.