1 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 7
Ideas Work
That
W
e've dramatically decreased handshaking in our facility
without being militant about it. Instead, we've used educa-
tion to get people to understand what's at stake and encour-
aged alternative gestures to greet each other — waves, nods, bowing,
even fist bumps.
It hasn't been easy. Handshaking has been ingrained in our culture
for centuries. But when we shake hands, we unwittingly convey bac-
teria and viruses to our partners. Our hands are vectors for disease.
And the hands of physicians typically act as vehicles for many more
bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bugs, than the hands of the
average person.
Research suggests that physician compliance with hand-hygiene
policies is about 40%. I suspect it's actually lower, because there's a
difference between washing your hands, and washing them effective-
ly, which takes 15 to 20 seconds and proper technique. (Using a few
drops of alcohol-based gel and rubbing your hands together for 5 sec-
Create a Handshake-Free Zone
HAND HYGIENE
• KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF As part of its infection prevention efforts, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital strongly dis-
courages handshakes at its facility.
