Editorial
A hand-hygiene campaign for residents?
Monday April 21, 2008
It isn’t often you find the recipients of health care services recruited into infection control initiatives like hand-hygiene programs. Caregivers are consistently reminded of proper hand washing techniques and protocols, yet those who they care for may not be.

That’s what makes Almonte Country Haven’s efforts to do just that are surprising and noteworthy. Sylvia Monette introduced a unique initiative at Almonte Country Haven. While creating a pandemic plan a new idea was sparked; install hand sanitizers outside resident’s doors. Residents received instruction on how to use the product. As it turns out hand-hygiene compliance amongst staff also increased.

Though a seemingly innovative concept, administrator Rick Gourlie says it is part of the home’s ‘back to basics’ approach to ensure high quality of care. Like he told us, it is sometimes easy to get lost in the latest innovation while forgetting simple factors.