Appropriate

Hand Hygiene
Reduce the Risk
of
Getting Sick and Spreading
Germs

Why Should I
Wash My Hands?
Hand Hygiene/Hand
Washing is the single most
effective method to reduce
the risk of spreading
germs.
September 2009

When Should I
Wash
My
Hands?
Before starting your day, before and after
lunch, and generally, when you feel it
necessary, wash with soap and water.

When hands are dirty, contaminated or soiled,

wash with soap and water.
*Especially important after coughing, sneezing or using
a
tissue

If soap and water are not readily available, use

an alcohol-based (60% or higher) hand-rub for
routine scrubbing
September 2009

How Should I
Wash
My
Hands?
Proper Techniques for Hand
Washing

Step 1
Wet hands first
with warm water
*avoid hot water
September 2009

Proper Techniques for Hand

Washing
Step 2
Apply 3-5 ml (2 - 3 pumps) of soap to
hands.

September 2009

Proper Techniques for Hand

Washing
Step 3for at least 20
Rub hands together

seconds, covering all surfaces of the

hands and in-between fingers.

September 2009

Proper Techniques for Hand

Washing
Step 4
Rinse hands
with water.

September 2009

Step 5
Dry thoroughly
using paper
towels, leaving
faucet on.

Proper Techniques for Hand

Washing
Step 6
Use a new paper
towel to turn off
faucet.

September 2009

Step 7
Discard used
paper towels in
trash.

Remember.

Source:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/stopgerms/posters.a
spx

September 2009

Resources

http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/index.html
http://www.nyu.edu/shc/flu
Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-care
Settings. MMWR 2002; vol. 51, no. RR-16.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/comm
unicable/influenza/
New York University Student Health Center
http://www.nyu.edu/shc/
New York University Environmental Health
and Safety
www.nyu.edu/ehs : 212-998-1450
September 2009

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