Hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions we can all take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections. Including the COVID-19 virus.
Health workers and community members alike can play a role in preventing infections by practising regular and frequent handwashing.
Every year the Trust supports the World Health Organisation with Hand Hygiene Day. Highlighting the importance of good hand washing.
In a healthcare setting, all staff, patients and visitors should decontaminate their hands with alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). This should be done when entering and leaving areas where patient care is being delivered.
Hand washing must be performed immediately before every episode of direct patient care and after any activity or contact that potentially results in hands becoming contaminated.
Emma Hale, one of the Trust’s tissue viability nurses, is backing the campaign.
She said: “I fully support hand hygiene day – it’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight to everyone how important it is.
“It is also a chance to remind people how to properly wash your hands and carry out good hand hygiene.
“Together, if we all follow good hygiene habits, we can help reduce the spread of infections.”
Before performing hand hygiene, healthcare staff must:
- expose forearms (bare below the elbows)
- remove all hand and wrist jewellery (a single, plain metal finger ring is permitted but should be removed or moved up during hand washing)
- ensure finger nails are clean, short and that artificial nails or nail products are not worn
- cover all cuts or abrasions with a waterproof dressing
