Hand Hygiene

Why is infection prevention important?

• Prevention is important because an infection can prolong your hospital stay or cause additional illness.

• Many infections can be caused by the patient's own germs. Sometimes, these germs can be accidentally passed on to other patients.

• The risk of infection is always present. Handwashing is the most important step to reduce this risk.

As a patient, what can you do to help?
 

•  Wash your hands often and well. If you are unable to go to the sink, ask your nurse for the alcohol hand gel.

• Remind visitors or anyone entering your room to wash their hands before touching or caring for you.

• If you are being treated in isolation, ensure everyone who enters your room follows the instructions displayed on your door.

• Ask friends or family members who are sick not to visit you.

• Ask the parents of children who are sick or who have been around other children who have been sick not to visit you.
   

Our commitment to you...

The staff within the Trust are committed to providing excellent patient care. Every effort has been made to protect you and prevent illness from occurring while you are in our facility.

Handwashing has been made a personal priority.

Do you have a question?
 

Specific questions can be directed to the Infection Control Department at the hospital or you can call the Infection Control Team.

Germs and Handwashing
 

• Germs live with us, on us and in us and do not always cause harm. Germs are usually spread through touch.

• Handwashing is the most important thing you and the people taking care of you can do to protect you from illnesses and infections.
   

When should you wash your hands?

Before you:

• Prepare or eat food.

• Treat a cut or wound.

• Tend to someone who is sick.

After you:

• Go to the bathroom.

• Handle uncooked foods.

• Change a nappy.

• Blow your nose, cough or sneeze.

• Handle garbage.

• Tend to someone who is ill.

• Handle an animal or its waste.

• When hands are soiled for any reason.

How should you wash your hands?

How you wash your hands is just as important as when you wash your hands. Regularly during the day and especially when your hands are soiled you should:

• Wet hands under running water and, using soap.

• Wash all surfaces thoroughly, including wrists, palms, backs of hands, between the fingers and under the fingernails.

• Rub hands together for 10 to 15 seconds.

• Dry well with a clean or disposable towel.

• Turn taps off with paper towel to avoid contaminating your hands again.

• Apply hand lotion frequently to soothe dry skin.

OR

• If your hands are not soiled, apply alcohol hand gel if available.

• Rub a small amount into the hands until absorbed.

• Do not rinse.