Hand Hygiene is the single most important measure for preventing the transmission of infection. Hands must be washed with soap and water if they are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with clostridium difficile or suspected diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

What are the rules of hand hygiene?

Follow these five steps every time.

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

What are the guidelines for performing hand hygiene in healthcare settings?

Healthcare personnel should use an alcohol-based hand rub or wash with soap and water for the following clinical indications: Immediately before touching a patient. Before performing an aseptic task (e.g., placing an indwelling device) or handling invasive medical devices.

What are the 7 steps of hand hygiene?

What are the 7 Steps of Hand Washing?

1. Step 1: Wet Hands. Wet your hands and apply enough liquid soap to create a good lather.
2. Step 2: Rub Palms Together.
3. Step 3: Rub the Back of Hands.
4. Step 4: Interlink Your Fingers.
5. Step 5: Cup Your Fingers.
6. Step 6: Clean the Thumbs.
7. Step 7: Rub Palms with Your Fingers.

Is hand hygiene a health policy?

Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. On any given day, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection.

What are the golden rules for hand hygiene?

Rule 1: Select an alcohol-based hand rub which has a good skin tolerance and is acceptable to health care workers to use. This has been shown to improve compliance. Rule 2: The hand rub shall be easily available. Wall dispensers near the patient and pocket bottles may well help.

What must you do before performing hand hygiene?

Before performing hand hygiene: ensure finger nails are clean, short and that artificial nails or nail products are not worn; and. cover all cuts or abrasions with a waterproof dressing.

What does the national policy on hand hygiene cover?

It covers responsibilities for organisations, staff and infection prevention and control teams. It also sets out how and when to decontaminate hands. The national policy aims to: support a common understanding (making the right thing easy to do for every patient, every time)

Why is hand hygiene important in care settings?

Performing hand hygiene is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections and protect you, your family and those around you. These resources can be used within all care settings with the childrens pack specifically for nurseries and schools.

What is the hand hygiene campaign for Scotland?

The National Hand Hygiene Campaign for Scotland was launched in January 2007. Local Co-ordinators were employed to undertake activities that would raise awareness of Hand Hygiene and its importance in modern healthcare. Stefan Morton was employed in April 2007 as the NHSGGC Co-ordinator.

What is the national policy for the NHS?

This national policy is a practice guide for NHS healthcare staff of all disciplines in all care settings. It covers responsibilities for organisations, staff and infection prevention and control teams. It also sets out how and when to decontaminate hands. The national policy aims to: