Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are resistant to antibiotics and are becoming difficult, if not impossible, to treat. On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. On any given day, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection.
When and how to practice hand hygiene
How to ask questions and protect yourself
The truth about hand hygiene
See the CDC Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives website to learn about handwashing in community settings.
Considerations for bulk ABHS dispensers.
Materials to promote hand hygiene
FDA has issued a proposed rule to address data gaps for certain active ingredients in healthcare antisepticsExternalexternal icon. Healthcare workers should continue to use healthcare antiseptic products currently recommended in professional and national guidelines including CDC infection control guidelines and consistent with facility policy.
FDA Q&A for Health care Professionals: Health care Antisepticsexternal icon