Heartbeat: Hand Decontamination – lead by example – don’t be afraid to ask

August 28, 2018

Hand decontamination is one of the most effective means of preventing transmission of infection and we must all take responsibility to challenge our colleagues if we see bad practice.

We advocate and promote compliance with hand decontamination throughout our organisation. If you don’t think that colleagues are decontaminating their hands or using the hand sanitiser provided, please challenge them.

Hand wash basins are available in every ward and department and along the main hospital corridors on the City site. In addition to this hand sanitiser is available at the entrance to all wards and departments and at the patient’s bed side where safe to do so. In areas where it is not safe to have hand sanitiser at the patient’s bedside, colleagues are encouraged to wear and use individual hand sanitiser toggles.

Visitors should be encouraged to wash or use the sanitiser on entry to and exit from wards and departments and at the patient’s bedside.

Chief Nurse, Paula Gardner said: “Challenging colleagues who do not practice good hand hygiene is an essential part in our fight against spreading infection. It is not a case of telling tales, but of stopping colleagues in time and reminding them to decontaminate their hands before they potentially spread infection.

“Our hospitals should be safe spaces where the sick can be treated safely, and hand hygiene is one of the easiest and most basic ways for us all to contribute to keeping our environment safe for patients.”