Hand hygiene

Why is effective hand hygiene so important?

Most healthcare associated infections are preventable through good hand hygiene – cleaning hands at the right time and in the right way. Germs that naturally live on the skin and normally cause few problems may be more serious when brought into hospital. These germs are often passed from one person to another by physical contact so it is important that patients, visitors and staff reduce the risk of spreading infections by effectively washing their hands.

Hand washing is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections and protect our patients

How often should you clean your hands?

Visitors – please clean your hands:

Clean your hands as soon as possible when arriving at our hospital, there are designated wash stations which you will find at the entrance to all our wards
All our staff are trained in hand washing techniques, they can show you how to wash your hands efficiently, direct you to the nearest washing station or provide you with hygienic hand rub.
Whilst you are visiting our hospital you may be asked to wear disposable aprons and gloves if there is infection on the wards, please ensure you wash your hands before and after use.
Whenever you see your hands are dirty

Patients – please clean your hands:

Clean your hands before every meal, ask staff to assist you if required
After each time you use the toilet, commode or urine bottle
After blowing your nose or coughing
Handling any rubbish
Whenever you see your hands are dirty

Please remember that even if hands look clean, they can still carry a lot of germs, this is why cleaning hands is so important.

Using alcohol hand rub

Dispensers can be found at the entrance to all our wards, patient rooms and at the end of each bed. Alcohol hand rub can be used to kill germs on the hands but only if the hands are visibly clean. If your hands are visibly dirty they must be cleaned using soap and water.

Please ask our staff

If you think a member of staff may have forgotten to clean their hands before touching you or something in your care i.e equipment/medicines please remind them, staff will not mind being reminded of the importance of hand washing. It is okey to ask! If you feel uncomfortable asking a member of staff, please discuss this with one of the nurses caring for you so that the matter can be followed up.

How to handwash

Last Updated:
01 March 2024
Review Date:
01 March 2028
Author:
Infection Prevention and Control Team
Summary:
Most healthcare associated infections are preventable through good hand hygiene – cleaning hands at the right time and in the right way.
Related Service:
Infection prevention and control