AHS reminding public about importance of having clean hands
By Medicine Hat News on May 4, 2019.
Alberta Health Services is reminding everyone of the importance of hand washing as it celebrates Clean Your Hands Day on Monday. “AHS asks Albertans to learn and practise good hand hygiene at all times as a proactive way to protect their health and the health of those around them,” says a press release. Clean your hands using soap and warm water. Wash your hands thoroughly and often, including after coughing, sneezing, using tissues or the washroom, and before eating or preparing foods, AHS says in a statement. Alcohol-based hand rub or sanitizer can also be helpful if hands are not visibly soiled. Make a point of keeping hands and fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Clean Your Hands Day encourages AHS staff, physicians, volunteers, patients, their families, and the public visiting the hospital to clean hands and prevent the spread of infection. AHS is reminding you and its staff to wash hands before contact with a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after contact with blood or body fluids, after contact with the patient or patient environment. AHS says this is particularly important while visiting AHS facilities, and it is encouraging patients and families to ask their healthcare providers if they have cleaned their hands. 7-6
