Cold and flu season has arrived, and viruses spread rapidly in a communal setting, making the promotion of hand washing both crucial and timely.
According to the CDC, hand washing is the single most effective method to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Brookhaven Retreat’s Infection Control Committee is tasked with implementing safety procedures that prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Correct hand washing is one of these procedures.
Hand washing with soap and water increases contact time, creates greater friction and dissolves dirt that alcohol rubs do not, making it a more effective infection control technique. Brookhaven Retreat requires all staff to wash their hands for one to two minutes whenever needed to prevent the transmission of pathogenic organisms among its clients, employees and visitors.
Other efforts led by Brookhaven Retreat’s Infection Control Committee include daily sanitizing and disinfecting of doorknobs, keyboards, telephones and work surfaces; placement of hand sanitizing stations throughout the facility; latex glove use when handling any type of biohazard material; monitoring of hand washing techniques; routine tuberculosis testing and recommendation of flu vaccinations. Proper hand washing is a small but critical aspect to maintaining the highest quality of patient safety at Brookhaven Retreat.
