The Trust’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team has been out in force raising awareness of the importance of hand hygiene to prevent health care associated infection, in view of increasing antibiotic resistance, as part of World Hand Hygiene Day.
The theme of World Hand Hygiene Day, organised by the World Health Organisation, was “Clean care for all – It’s in your hands” – a call to action aimed at healthcare staff, patients and visitors to urge everyone to focus on good hand hygiene to help control and prevent infection.
During the day the Infection Prevention and Control team tested people’s handwashing technics using special gel which highlights under ultraviolet light, any areas of the hand where washing has not been effective. Ward teams across the Trust showed their commitment to promote the importance of hand hygiene to visitors, patients and staff by producing and displaying posters about World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene day. The Infection prevention and control team invited all staff to take part in posting selfies on Twitter to promote their commitment to the prevention of health care acquired infections by using good hand hygiene practices. Staff also took part in another form of visualising bacteria by using agar plates and the results will be reviewed later in the week.
Lisa Redmond, Head of Infection Prevention and Control, said: “Hand hygiene is the most important weapon we have against the spread of infection. It is great to see so many people supporting hand hygiene. Good hand washing with soap and warm water or using the hand foam can help reduce the spread of infections.”
When visiting a friend or relative in hospital or other environment where healthcare is provided, people are advised to:
- Avoid visiting if you are unwell, e.g. with diarrhoea and vomiting
- Use the hand foam which can be found at the entrances to wards and departments when entering and leaving
- Remind staff to clean their hands when caring for their loved ones if necessary
- Remember to wash your hands when you have been to the bathroom
- If you are caring for a loved one with an infection, wash your hands with soap and water