Hand Hygiene Technique
Hand hygiene is vital in stopping the transmission of Covid-19 and other micro-organisms.
Key points with hand hygiene
- The entire set of actions should not take less than 20 seconds.
- ‘Bare Below Elbows’.
- Long sleeves, if worn, should be rolled or pushed up to the elbows.
- Finger nails should be short and clean, no nail varnish/gels, false acrylic nails, nail extensions or nail jewellery
- Watches, stoned rings, fit bits/bracelets should be removed
Click here for the NHS video on how to wash hands
Click here for the HCPA hand hygiene video
Remember your 5 moments for Hand Hygiene
| 1) Before resident contact | When? Wash hands before touching the person you support when approaching him/her. Why? To protect the person you support against harmful germs. |
| 2) Before a clean/Aseptic procedure | When? Wash hands immediately before any clean/aseptic procedures. Why? Protects the person you support against harmful germs including resident’s own, from entering the body. |
| 3) After bodily fluid exposure risk | When? Wash hands immediately after exposure risk to bodily fluids (and after glove removal). Why? Protects yourself and environment from harmful germs. |
| 4) After resident contact | When? Wash hands after touching a person you support and their immediate surroundings, when leaving their side. Why? To protect yourself and environment from harmful germs. |
| 5) After contact with resident surroundings | When? Wash hands after touching objects/furniture in the person you support immediate surroundings on leaving – even without touching the person. Why? Protects yourself and the environment from harmful germs. |
Using Alcohol Hand Gel
- Hand gel is useful when in a hurry.
- Hand gel should not be used on soiled hands.
- When using hand gel, the same movements need to be followed as with hand washing.
- The duration needs to be 20-30 seconds.
- Handwashing with good technique is just as good as using hand gel – you do not need to do both