5
Table 1. Recommendations to Prevent Healthcare-
Associated Infections through Hand Hygiene
5. Take steps to reduce environmental contamination associated with sinks and sink
drains. (H)
a. Ensure that handwashing sinks are constructed according to local
administrative codes.
b. Include handwashing sinks in water infection control risk assessments for
healthcare settings.
c. If possible, dedicate sinks to handwashing.
d. Educate HCP to refrain from disposing substances that promote growth of
biofilms (e.g., intravenous solutions, medications, food, or human waste) in
handwashing sinks.
e. Use a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered hospital
disinfectant to clean sink bowls and faucets daily.
f. Do not keep medications or patient care supplies on countertops or mobile
surfaces that are within 1 m (3 feet) of sinks.
g. Provide disposable or single-use towels to dry hands. Do not use hot air dryers in
patient care areas.
h. Consult with state or local public health officials when investigating confirmed
or suspected outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections due to waterborne
pathogens of plumbing in the facility.
6. Monitor adherence to hand hygiene. (H)
a. Use multiple methods to measure adherence to hand hygiene.
b. Consider advantages and limitations of each type of monitoring.
7. Provide timely and meaningful feedback to enhance a culture of safety. (M)
a. Provide feedback in multiple formats (e.g., verbal, written) and on multiple
occasions (e.g., real-time, weekly).
b. Consider debriefing unit managers as soon as possible after each direct covert
observation session. This can be conducted in a manner that preserves the
observer's confidentiality.
c. Provide meaningful data with clear targets linked to actions that improve
adherence.
(cont'd)
