About Hand Hygiene for Patients in Healthcare Settings

Clean Hands Count campaign offers posters, factsheets, and brochures for healthcare providers and patients.

Ask your healthcare provider to clean their hands

• Wearing gloves alone is not enough for your healthcare provider to prevent the spread of infection.
• Ask questions like:
  • "Before you start the exam, would you mind cleaning your hands again?"
  • "Would it be alright if you cleaned your hands before changing my bandages?"
  • "I didn't see you clean your hands when you came in, would you mind cleaning them again before you examine me?"
  • "I'm worried about germs spreading in the hospital. Will you please clean your hands once more before you start my treatment?"

  Speak up for clean hands in healthcare settings

  • Clean your own hands and ask those around you to do the same.
  • Don't be afraid to use your voice: it's okay to ask your healthcare provider to clean their hands.
  • Ask your loved ones and visitors to clean their hands, too, using questions like:
    • "I saw you clean your hands when you arrived some time ago, but would you mind cleaning them again?"
    Keep Reading: Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers

    Frequently asked questions

    Is there such a thing as too clean?

    • Germs are everywhere. They are within and on our bodies and on every surface you touch. But not all germs are bad. We need some of these germs to keep us healthy and our immune system strong.
    • Your hands have good germs on them that your body needs to stay healthy. These germs live under the deeper layers of the skin.
    • Your hands can also have bad germs on them that make you sick. These germs live on the surface and are easily killed/wiped away by the alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the preferred way for to keep your hands clean.
    • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill the good and bad germs, but the good germs quickly come back on your hands.

    Washing with soap and water: 15 versus 20 seconds

    • Wash your hands for more than 15 seconds, not exactly 15 seconds.
    • The time it takes is less important than making sure you clean all areas of your hands.
    • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the preferred way to clean your hands in healthcare facilities.

    Which one? Soap and water versus alcohol-based hand sanitizer

    An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the preferred method for cleaning your hands when they are not visibly dirty because it:

    • Is more effective at killing potentially deadly germs on hands than soap.
    • Is easier to use during the course of care, especially:
      • when moving from soiled to clean activities with the same patient or resident.
      • when moving between patients or residents in shared rooms or common areas.

      What CDC is doing

      CDC's Clean Hands Count campaign offers posters, factsheets, and brochures for healthcare providers and patients.

      Resources

      Healthcare personnel

      When and how to practice hand hygiene. Learn more.

      New Training and Education Resources available for Healthcare Professionals.

      Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings Video Series link: Education Courses | Hand Hygiene | CDC

      On This Page

      • The facts
      • Steps to take
      • Frequently asked questions
      • What CDC is doing
      • Resources