National Handwashing Awareness Week is celebrated each year during the first week of December to draw people's attention to the importance of good hand hygiene. It is a great time to remind your staff and the patients that visit your office that a quick rinse is not enough to remove most germs. Here are five steps to follow EVERY time when washing your hands:

• Wet hands with clean water.
• Apply soap and rub hands together to lather.
• Scrub your hands for 20 seconds.
• Rinse them under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them.