Per the notice below, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is highlighting hand hygiene.

The New York State Department of Health Reminds New Yorkers About the Importance of Hand Hygiene

Department Advises the Public and Providers

Good Hand Hygiene Can Prevent the Spread of Communicable Disease

The New York State Department of Health reminds New Yorkers about the importance of good hand hygiene, one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness, especially in health care settings.  To support this effort, the Department has distributed updated guidance and an infographic to help health care providers and facilities promote effective hand hygiene.  The materials have been shared with nursing homes, adult care/assisted living facilities and hospitals across New York State.

"All health care personnel are required to perform appropriate and effective hand hygiene immediately before and immediately after they touch you," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.  "Many germs spread from person to person, hand hygiene minimizes this.  As a patient, you are welcome to remind any health care worker if you do not see this performed in front of you."

Effective hand hygiene includes hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60-90% alcohol.  Alcohol based hand sanitizer use is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations, however, hand washing is preferred when hands are visibly soiled, before eating, and after using the restroom.  Hand sanitizing is not as effective in preventing the spread of illnesses like norovirus.  Hand washing should be performed when caring for someone with suspected or confirmed norovirus infection.  All health care personnel are expected to perform appropriate and effective hand hygiene before and after touching a patient.  It is appropriate for a patient to remind a health care provider to perform hand hygiene if necessary.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidance that details infection prevention and control strategies, including hand hygiene, to contain and prevent the spread of communicable diseases in health care facilities.  In New York State, hand hygiene surveillance in healthcare facilities focuses on monitoring compliance with best practices to prevent the spread of infections.  This includes direct observation of healthcare workers' hand hygiene practices and data collection from hand hygiene product usage.  Health care facilities should also include adherence to hand hygiene best practices in internal quality improvement programs.