Simple Reminder to Reduce Hospital Infections

HAND HYGIENE

Kaye Qureshi, RN Infection Control Coordinator

Infections are a serious problem in Healthcare Facilities Nationwide.

• Every year, an estimated 2 million patients get a hospital-related infection.
• 90,000 die from their infection

Many infections are transmitted on the hands of healthcare personnel and visitors. Hand hygiene can reduce the risk of transmission of these infections to patients, you, and your loved ones.

Research has shown that the actions of others influence the behavior of others.Marlboro Park Hospital encourages visitors to play an important role in keeping our patients safe.

You will notice that soap and hand sanitizers are in patients rooms for everyone to wash or sanitize their hands when entering and leaving the room to prevent carrying in and out germs. If you are visiting multiple patients, sanitize your hands before and after seeing each patient.

Marlboro Park Hospital monitors hand hygiene compliance. Our hand hygiene compliance rate for 2008 was 90% compared to the national average of 70%. If you are a patient or visitor in our hospital and have concerns regarding hand hygiene, “It’s O.K. to Ask” or remind staff to wash their hands, states Kaye Qureshi, RN, Infection Control Coordinator.

At Marlboro Park Hospital quality and patient safety are important. The hospital has very good quality scores and is proud to remain among the highest in compliance with core measures and infection control prevention standards.