Clinical Center News
Spring 2019

Germ Busters Unite – Clinical Center Celebrates Patient Safety Week, Hand Hygiene

Jeopardy show finalists and host pose for a photo
Staff join in a bit of friendly competition with colleagues in the Patient Safety Jeopardy Tournament. Pictured here are finalists (left to right) Janell Krack, Pharmacy; Nicole Ritzau, 3NE Nursing; Carolyn Allen, National Institute of Nursing Research and Karla Platt, Jeopardy show host. Nicole Ritzau received the first place.
 

A Clinical Center "Germ Busters" team celebrated Patient Safety Week and shared the power of clean hands with patients, visitors and staff in the Clinical Center's North Atrium April 2-4. Participants were invited to test their knowledge of Hand Hygiene through interactive games and activities.

Test your knowledge with the True or False questions below (scroll down to the bottom for the answers):

  1. Damp hands spread more germs than dry hands.
  2. Washing hands in very hot water and soap is ideal to remove the most bacteria.
  3. Hand sanitizer that contains alcohol is harmful to skin and should not be used.
  4. Hand hygiene is a simple, low cost action to prevent the spread of germs.
  5. Hand washing for 10 seconds is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.
  6. People frequently touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without even realizing it.
  7. Handwashing helps fight antibiotic resistance.
  8. Germs from unwashed hands may get into food and drinks and make people sick.
  9. Health Care Workers should wash their hands after giving an injection; not after taking a patient's pulse.
  10. Handwashing can prevent 1 in 5 respiratory infections such as the cold or flu.
People holding a Hand Hygiene I Love Clean Hands sign
 
A child holding a Hand Hygiene I Love Clean Hands sign
 
Young boy holds up a sign that says I love clean hands
NIH Clinical Center visitors participate in Patient Safety Week activities and display "I Love Clean Hands" sign in the atrium. Participants also test their knowledge on hand hygiene myths spin the wheel.
 
Woman about to put her hands in a specially lit box to see how clean her hands are
People stopped by the Patient Safety Week exhibit, and were able to see under a special light within the box seen above, how clean their hands actually were before and after washing their hands.
 
A man holding a Hand Hygiene I Love Clean Hands sign
 
People holding a Hand Hygiene I Love Clean Hands sign

1. True; 2. False; 3. False; 4. True; 5. False; 6. True; 7. True; 8.True; 9. False; 10. True.

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