Hand Hygiene
LifeCare Staff are expected to maintain hand hygiene per policy and to carry ABHR (alcohol-based hand rub) and gloves to ensure hand hygiene can be performed safely and effectively in any environment.
Purpose
To establish clear, evidence‑based hand hygiene requirements for all therapists providing care in the clinic, consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” and other nationally recognized infection‑control standards. This policy ensures the safety of patients, staff, and visitors by reducing the risk of healthcare‑associated infections. Hand hygiene, including the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) and handwashing with soap and water, is critical to reduce the risk of spreading infections in outpatient settings.
Policy
All therapists must perform hand hygiene according to WHO‑aligned best practices. Hand hygiene is required before, during, and after patient care activities, after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, and whenever hands are visibly soiled. Therapists are responsible for following this policy at all times.
LifeCare Staff are expected to maintain hand hygiene per policy and carry ABHS (alcohol-based hand sanitizer) to ensure it can be performed safely and effectively in any environment. Ensure the hand sanitizer that you use has at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
When to Perform:
Therapists must perform hand hygiene at the following times, consistent with WHO’s Five Moments:
Before touching a patient
Before clean or aseptic procedures (e.g., wound care, handling clean equipment)
After exposure or potential exposure to bodily fluids
After touching a patient
After touching patient surroundings (e.g., treatment tables, equipment, linens)
Additional required moments include:
Before donning gloves and after removing gloves
Before handling food or oral appliances
After coughing, sneezing, or touching face, hair, or personal items
After using the restroom
How to Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is easy and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can help stop germs from spreading from one person to another and in our communities—including your home, workplace, schools, and childcare facilities. Follow these five steps every time.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer
Alcohol‑Based Hand Rub (ABHR of 60+% alcohol) may be used when hands are not visibly soiled. Proper technique is to:
Apply product to palm of one hand
Rub hands together, covering all surfaces
Continue rubbing until hands are completely dry
Compliance & Accountability
Therapists are expected to follow this policy without exception. Failure to comply may result in retraining, corrective action, or other measures consistent with organizational policy. Periodic handwash auditing will be performed with results maintained in your personnel record. Handwashing is audited when a therapist begins work in the clinic, when a need or concern is identified as part of routine audits, and when indicated by policy or protocol.
Introduction
LifeCare Therapy Services, as an outpatient rehabilitation provider in Broward County, Florida, delivers physical, occupational, and speech therapy in both clinic and home-based settings. This program integrates OSHA-compliant Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) training with CDC-based Standard Precautions, tailored to the unique challenges of outpatient and home-based therapy. Our policies and the associated training address regulatory requirements, infection transmission, practical application scenarios, and documentation, ensuring that all staff are equipped to protect themselves and their patients across diverse environments.
Regulatory Context
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard applies to all persons with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), including therapists providing direct patient care in both clinic and home settings. Key definitions include:
Bloodborne Pathogens: Microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease (e.g., HBV, HCV, HIV).
Occupational Exposure: Anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or OPIM.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Specialized clothing or equipment for protection against hazards.
Engineering Controls: Devices that isolate or remove hazards (e.g., sharps containers, needleless systems).
Work Practice Controls: Procedures that reduce exposure risk by altering how tasks are performed (e.g., no recapping of needles).
Employers must establish a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP), provide initial and annual training, offer Hepatitis B vaccination, and ensure post-exposure evaluation and follow-up.
CDC Standard Precautions and Outpatient Guidance
CDC’s Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any healthcare setting—including outpatient clinics and home care. These include:
•Hand hygiene
•Use of PPE based on anticipated exposure
•Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
•Safe injection practices
•Environmental cleaning and disinfection
•Safe handling of laundry and waste
CDC’s Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings outlines the minimum expectations for safe care, emphasizing the importance of consistent application across all therapy environments.