Wash Your Hands

Patient safety is a priority. In the hospital, it is everyone’s job to stop the spread of germs from one person to another. Hand washing is your best defense against infection. Washing hands with soap and water or waterless hand sanitizer (if hands are not visibly soiled), for at least 20 seconds, making sure to rub all surfaces including between fingers and fingertips, are both acceptable ways to wash your hands. Please wash your hands often and feel free to ask your healthcare providers if they have washed their hands. In the event of heightened infection control measures, visitor restrictions may be in effect.

Wash your hands…

• When you enter or exit the hospital
• When hands are visibly dirty
• Before you eat or drink
• After you use the washroom
• After you cough, sneeze, blow your nose
• After you handle garbage
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

Please do not visit hospitalized family members or friends when you are sick.