May 11, 2007

Healing hands, clean hands

When an MGH Chaplaincy staff member is called upon by a patient for spiritual and religious guidance, he or she becomes an intimate part of that patient's care team. Working in close contact with patients, their family members and visitors means that Chaplaincy staff, like other health care providers, have an important role in preventing the spread of infections at the MGH. Therefore, they are committed to a critical goal — practicing proper hand hygiene.

In the Chaplaincy, staff members work together to remind each other to use Cal Stat — an alcohol-based hand disinfectant — before and after contact with the patient or the patient's environment. The importance of practicing hand hygiene is often discussed during daily staff gatherings, and signs and reminders are posted in public areas such as conference rooms and near staff mailboxes.

"Chaplains are committed to caring for the human spirit in everyone, which means the whole person," says Michael McElhinny, director of the Chaplaincy. "As we meet the spiritual needs of patients, we also want to practice good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infections. No matter what role one plays on the health care team, we must take the time to protect our patients by using Cal Stat and by practicing other infection control measures."

For more information about hand hygiene at the MGH, contact the Infection Control Unit at (617) 726-2036.

Rev. Anne Haywood-Baxter and Rabbi Ben Lanckton are committed to practicing hand hygiene.