Hand Hygiene
Hands can carry a range of germs which can lead to infections, such as the common cold, flu, tummy bugs and infectious diarrhoea. Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections. In healthcare environments, good hand hygiene is particularly crucial in preventing and controlling the spread of infections such as MRSA.
How can I ensure my hands are washed properly?
It takes at least fifteen seconds to wash your hands properly – this is about how long it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday to you’ twice through. Washing your hands properly with soap and warm water can help protect you, your family, children and others
When should I wash my hands?
You should make regular and thorough hand washing part of your daily routine, especially:
- Before eating or handling food
- After using the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After touching animals or animal waste
- After handling rubbish
- After changing a nappy
- Before and after touch a sick or injured person
- Before and after visiting a hospital ward (remember alcohol-based hand rubs are also provided).
Children should be encouraged to wash their hands at these times too.
If people are visiting someone in hospital or an environment where care is provided, there are 5 tips which can help to prevent the spread of infection:
1. Think about keeping patients safe before you visit. If you, or someone at home has a cold or are feeling unwell - especially if it's diarrhoea - stay away until you're better
2. Think about what you take in to patients. Food is a treat best saved until they get home. Don't sit on the bed and keep the number of visitors to a minimum at any one time
3. The most important thing you can do is to wash and dry your hands before visiting the ward, particularly after going to the toilet. If there is alcohol hand gel provided at the ward door or at the bedside, use it
4. Never touch dressings, drips, or other equipment around the bed
5. Don't be afraid to raise concerns with members of staff in your hospital. Busy doctors can sometimes forget simple things like cleaning hands before examining a patient. No NHS worker should take offence at a gentle and polite reminder
Where can people get more information?
For more information on the National Hand Hygiene campaign visit www.washyourhandsofthem.com
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