Nichola Gotheil-Weinstock, RN, and Lori Matarazzo-Joy, RN, YNHH Infection Prevention, staffed a hand-hygiene info table at the hospital in December.
Infection Prevention team members staffed an information table at Yale New Haven Hospital during National Handwashing Week in December to spread the word about proper hand hygiene habits.
“Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and illness,” said Lori Matarazzo-Joy, RN, infection preventionist, YNHH. “Keeping our patients and staff safe is our number one priority, and one way to contribute to that goal is by correctly performing hand hygiene.”
Michael Aniskiewicz, manager, Infection Prevention, YNHH, reminded employees that Yale New Haven Health has a “wash in and wash out” policy for room entry and exit. “That means washing our hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water every time we enter and leave a patient space,” he said.
According to Aniskiewicz, there is a reenergized focus on hand hygiene compliance across YNHHS in 2026. It involves an “all hands on deck” effort to improve hand-hygiene performance, with a target goal of 90 percent compliance. Staff will see more wash in/wash out reminders in patient care areas. In addition, staff must complete mandatory LMS training by June 1.
For more information, strategies and tools, visit the Infection Prevention intranet page under Departments and Communities and choose FY2026 Hand Hygiene Tools from the list of links at left.
