Everyone can play a part in reducing the spread of infections; After child immunisation, hand washing is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of infections, including diarrhoea bugs, colds, the flu virus and so-called ‘superbugs’ such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile.
Effective Hand Washing
Effective hand hygiene is one of the cheapest, simplest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of infections. Soap and water provides sufficient decontamination for the majority of activities. Wash your hands regularly throughout the day and especially at these times:
Before
• Putting in contact lenses
• Preparing food
• Handling a baby
• Eating
• Contact with a patient in a healthcare setting or anyone with an open wound
Between
• Handling raw foods
After
• Going to the toilet
• Cleaning activities
• Handling waste or touching dustbins
• Changing nappies or incontinence pads
• Handling or stroking pets or farm animals
• Cleaning out cat litter trays
• Coughing or sneezing
• Contact with a patient in a healthcare setting or anyone with an open wound
Washing your hands correctly is important
Washing your hands incorrectly e.g. giving them a quick rinse and not using soap DOES NOT remove all the germs present on your hands – putting you and others at risk of infection.
We all think we know how to wash our hands properly but most of us do not. TO FIND OUT HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS visit the Percy Gee building on Tuesday 4th March, Thursday 6th March or 22nd April when Karen Smith (Infection Control Specialist Nurse) and Gill Miles (Nurse Manager, University of Leicester) will be available to demonstrate hand washing and help you discover how effective you are at washing your own hands.
Source: By University Of Leicester
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