How can nursing assistants help prevent the spread of germs effectively?

Washing hands before and after touching each resident is the most effective way for nursing assistants to help prevent the spread of germs. This practice is essential because hands are the primary vehicles for transmitting pathogens. By regularly washing hands, nursing assistants can remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses that may be present on their skin or transferred from one resident to another. This behavior actively disrupts the chain of infection and protects both the residents and the healthcare providers.

While wearing gloves can provide a barrier against germs, it is not a substitute for hand hygiene. Gloves can become contaminated, and if not used or disposed of properly, they can lead to the spread of germs rather than prevent it. Using hand sanitizers is helpful, but handwashing with soap and water is generally more effective in removing certain types of germs, especially those present in healthcare settings. Maintaining distance from residents could limit interaction but does not actively reduce the chance of germs being spread when direct contact is necessary for care. Therefore, proper handwashing is a foundational practice for infection control in any healthcare environment.