The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified handwashing as the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of disease. Washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water will help protect you from getting sick with things like influenza, a cold, norovirus, and many other unpleasant infections. This week, we’re celebrating National Handwashing Awareness Week in conjunction with Henry the Hand Foundation and other partners. Henry the Hand promotes guiding principles of hand awareness:

1.  Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.

2.  Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissues, not into your hands

3   Do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth.

CDC’s handwashing website has specific information about when and how you should wash your hands, including step by step directions. Our Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Program also stresses the importance of hand hygiene, particularly as a method to prevent serious healthcare-associated infections. Remember, save a life and wash your hands. It’s also okay to check with your healthcare provider at the beginning of a treatment to prevent the transmission of germs.