Hand hygiene

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared May 5 every year as World Hand Hygiene Day to promote hand hygiene. Kindly share information about hand hygiene. Clement X Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, can be defined as the act of cleaning hands for the purpose of removing soil, dirt and microorganisms. If water […]

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared May 5 every year as World Hand Hygiene Day to promote hand hygiene. Kindly share information about hand hygiene.

Clement X

Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, can be defined as the act of cleaning hands for the purpose of removing soil, dirt and microorganisms. If water and soap is not available, hands can be cleaned with ash.

Surprisingly, we do not link hand hygiene to so many health problems. A disease outbreak such as diarrhoea can occur by just one person working in a kitchen for a wedding or an event who is careless with hand hygiene.

Therefore, effective hand hygiene is the single most effective action to reduce healthcare-associated infections.

WHO is constantly reminding us about the “My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” approach which defines the key moments when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene. This approach recommends healthcare workers to clean their hands thus:

1. Before touching a patient.
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures.
3. After body fluid exposure/risk.
4. After touching a patient.
5. After touching a patient’s surroundings.

Why is hand hygiene very important?

• Good hand hygiene is the most effective way to stop infections from spreading.
• Even when your hands look clean, they can still be carrying germs. This is because germs are so small that you just cannot see them. This is why when we touch other people or objects, we can spread germs without realising.

Wash your hands properly and often, especially:

• Before, during and after preparing eating.
• After going to the toilet or changing a nappy.
• After you blow your nose, sneeze or cough.
• When your hands are visibly dirty.
• After smoking and after handling or patting animals.
• Before and after taking care of a sick person.
• When you enter and leave a healthcare facility.

How to wash your hands

Most of us do not pay attention to how we wash our hands, but it is important to do it the right way.

• When your hands are visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water.
• Wet your hands and apply soap.
• Rub the soap all over your hands. Pay attention to the back of your hands and fingers, fingernails, fingertips and the webs between fingers.
• Rinse your hands under running water.
• Pat hands dry with a towel or paper towel.
• If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand rubs can be used.
• Use enough hand rub products to cover both of hands.
• Rub all surfaces of your hands
• Rub hands together until dry.
• Alcohol-based hand rubs come in small containers which can be carried in your bag or briefcase or in your pocket. They are ideal for travelling.

Hand hygiene in healthcare settings

When we are fit and healthy, we can usually defend ourselves against germs and infections. Having healthy and intact (unbroken) skin is one of the ways we can do this. When you are not well, such as after an operation, your ability to fight infection can be weakened. Having an infection in hospital can result in:

• Illness and longer stay in hospital.
• Slower recovery and additional stress for all concerned.

Each time you visit someone in a healthcare facility, it is important that you clean your hands, even if they look clean. And the following should also be in practice:

• Bottles of hand rub should be located in all patient care areas and in high traffic areas in your healthcare facility.
• Research has shown that improving hand hygiene among healthcare workers can reduce the spread of germs in hospital settings and protect both patients and healthcare workers.
• Hand hygiene reduces the number of healthcare-associated infections.
• Your healthcare worker should always perform hand hygiene in front of you. If you do not see them do this and are worried, feel free to remind them.