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Don’t spread those germs around. Learn the 5 steps to proper hand washing.

Published Date
Author Providence Guest Blogger

By Rebecca Hamel, RN, MHI - interim manager of Infection Prevention, Providence Alaska Medical Center

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted via touch.  Good hand hygiene is like a “do it yourself” vaccine to stop the spread to others. Providence Alaska is committed to improving hand hygiene by all and for all. Good hand hygiene habits, proper use of personal protective equipment and cough etiquette can help us stop illnesses and infections.

To stop the spread of germs, we encourage people to follow this 5-step easy to remember method about hand hygiene:

  • Wet
  • Lather
  • Scrub
  • Rinse
  • Dry

This 5 step method, summarized as W.L.S.R.D., was the featured message in the new “Look At Me” hand hygiene video from the staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center.


As Monica Anderson, Mission Services for Providence Health & Services Alaska, said: “Every act of hand hygiene is a demonstration of our love to our patients.”

Please enjoy our video, take to heart W.L.S.R.D. and help stop the spread of infection.

Note: Special thanks the many people who provided inspiration for this video.