Whether it's soap-and-water handwashing or using an antiseptic hand wash, an alcohol-based handrub (ABHR), or a surgical hand antisepsis product, hand hygiene remains a cornerstone of infection prevention and control practice. Despite indications that hand hygiene can help control the transmission of infectious microorganisms as part of a multi-modal approach, as well as innovations in product and dispenser design to enhance the user experience, hand hygiene rates remain sub-optimally low.
This guidebook is designed to provide an overview of some of the imperatives related to hand hygiene in healthcare settings, including barriers to compliance, healthcare personnel behavioral issues, the importance of proper hand hygiene, compliance monitoring, product evaluation and selection, and much more.
Whether you are an infection preventionist needing to educate clinicians and other healthcare personnel about hand hygiene, or a healthcare worker or other hospital stakeholder who needs to brush up on the basics of hand antisepsis, this guidebook has something for everyone. The take-away message is that hand hygiene is the responsibility of everyone, and serves as a foundation for other infection control practices in a multi-modal intervention bundle.
The Guardians of Animal Health: Who Are Veterinary Infection Preventionists?
March 21st 2025Veterinary infection control experts Leslie Kollmann, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC, Denise Waiting, LVT, and Leslie Landis, LVT, BS, discuss challenges, zoonotic disease risks, and the importance of education, collaboration, and resource development in animal care facilities.
The Latest on CLABSIs and CAUTIs: Evidence-Based Approaches for Infection Prevention
February 27th 2025Health care–associated infections like CLABSIs and CAUTIs threaten patient safety. Learn evidence-based strategies, new technologies, and prevention protocols to reduce these infections and improve outcomes.
Resilience and Innovation: The Pivotal Contributions of Black Americans to Health Care and Medicine
February 24th 2025During Black History Month, we honor the resilience and contributions of Black medical professionals in health care. Despite barriers, they have led transformative changes, advocating for equitable access and medical excellence. Recognizing their impact ensures a more inclusive health care future for all.
Glove Usage Guideline: From The Joint Commission, CDC, and World Health Organization
February 17th 2025Proper glove use is crucial in health care settings to prevent infections. Guidelines from TJC, CDC, and WHO stress correct selection, usage, and disposal to minimize health care–associated infections (HAIs) and cross-contamination risks. Infection preventionists (IPs) play a key role in educating staff, enforcing compliance, and improving patient safety through standardized glove practices.