In daily life, washing our hands is the best way to stop the spread of sickness. Therefore, using hand hygiene steps can remove dirt that makes us sick. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Health Service (NHS) suggest washing our hands for at least 20 seconds. In the end, ensure to follow these steps before eating, after using the bathroom, and when looking after someone sick.
This article will explore the importance of following hand hygiene steps. It will discuss 5 moments of washing hands based on WHO recommendations. It will also explain steps for cleaning hands with both soapy water and hand sanitiser. By doing this, we'll take the right way to keep ourselves healthy. Let's get started!
What are the hand hygiene steps?
Hand hygiene steps are the guide to cleaning your hands in the right way. Those steps help to stop germs from spreading. In the UK, the National Health Service's (NHS) official guidelines set out this rule. Besides, the guide matches the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations. Based on those references, you can either wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser.
According to the NHS, washing your hands correctly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading. As a matter of fact, viruses from the hands can spread illnesses. For instance, food poisoning, flu, and diarrhoea. Cleaning hands can also help stop the spread of infections when visiting someone in the hospital.
The importance of following hand hygiene steps
Following the right hand hygiene steps will help kill harmful germs. Washing your hands with soap and rubbing them together for at least 20 seconds can stop about one out of every three cases of diarrhoea. It can also stop about one out of five colds or the flu. In hospitals, washing your hands the right way can stop infections. Here are the importance of cleaning hands properly:
- Stops transmission of harmful germs: Touch transmits up to 80% of infectious diseases. With this in mind, following the hand hygiene steps removes viruses and bacteria before they spread.
- Protects healthcare settings: Cleaning your hands correctly reduces the risk of viruses spreading in healthcare settings. Following hand cleaning steps protects patients, staff and visitors by breaking the cycle of infections.
- Breaks the chain of infection: Hand hygiene steps break the chain of infection by removing dangerous germs from hands. As a result, they help prevent the spread of illness.
5 moments to practice hand hygiene
As shown above, following the hand hygiene steps prevents the spread of infection. To make it effective, the NHS uses WHO's "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene". This reference highlights the right times for washing hands. By doing this, people can protect themselves from dangerous germs that cause illness. Here are the details:
- Before touching a patient: Cleaning hands protects the patient from harmful germs carried on hands.
- Before clean/aseptic procedures: Hand washing prevents harmful germs from entering the patient's body.
- Suspect to body fluid exposure risk: Hand hygiene steps protect yourself from contaminated body fluid.
- After touching a patient: Hand cleaning protects infection spreading from the patient.
- After touching patient surroundings: Hand hygiene steps protect yourself after touching anything the patient touched.
Steps for cleaning hands
As shown above, hand hygiene steps help stop infection and keep you healthy. Cleaning your hands well cuts the spread of germs from different places. For instance, at home or in hospitals. The NHS gives clear ways for washing hands properly. By doing these steps, you can protect yourself as well as others.
In brief, these steps include washing hands with soap and sanitising hands with hand rub. When cleaning hands using those items, ensure to rub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Although alcohol rub can kill germs, it’s better to wash your hands when they’re dirty. Here’s the breakdown of the steps for cleaning hands:
Washing with soap & water
Washing your hands is the easiest way to protect yourself and others from illnesses. For instance, food poisoning and the flu. Before cleaning your hands, remove jewellery such as rings and bracelets. You should wash your hands for around 20 seconds. This duration is the same amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Here are the hand hygiene steps with soap and water:
- Wet your hands with water.
- Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
- Rub your hands together.
- Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.
- Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
- Grip the fingers of each hand together with the backs of your fingers against the palms of your other hand. Rub your fingertips together and rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
- Rub one thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
- Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with your other hand.
- Rinse your hands with water.
- Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.
- Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.
Using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR)
If you don't have water and soap, you can use an alcohol based hand rub. This liquid has alcohol, which helps remove bacteria. According to hand hygiene steps, use this by squeezing out enough. Then, rub them together for about 20 seconds until they’re dry. This liquid helps to clean your hands quickly. However, it's better to wash your hands when visibly dirty.
NHS tools & campaigns for hand hygiene
The NHS leads the country in promoting good hand hygiene by using organised tools and campaigns. This initiative helps stop infections that happen in hospitals and clinics. For instance, the CleanYourHands campaign has been used across England and Wales to teach healthcare workers the right hand hygiene steps. These include washing and cleaning their hands properly.
Alongside that, the Royal College of Nursing runs the Glove Awareness campaign. This programme teaches nurses how to use gloves wisely. Started in 2018 and now happening all year, the campaign reminds staff that gloves do not replace good hand hygiene. Besides, they should not be worn for regular tasks like feeding or moving patients.
On the other hand, the WHO supports World Hand Hygiene Day every May 5. On this day, they help spread the NHS’s message using the “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” guide. They also remind people that gloves do not replace hand hygiene steps. This message fits perfectly with the NHS’s goals and is shared across healthcare systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the hand hygiene steps are crucial to stop the spread of bacteria. These habits help lower the chances of getting illnesses like the flu, diarrhoea, and food poisoning. The NHS rules give clear instructions and show the most important times to clean your hands. By doing these steps regularly, everyone can make the community healthier.
To learn more about health and safety, the College of Contract Management offers courses on this. It offers advanced diplomas and CPD programmes to help professionals improve their skills. By enrolling, you get the right way to maintain your well-being. Take the next step towards a safer workplace, and enrol in CCM today!
