Hand hygieneHand hygiene

Jodie BurrJodie BurrInfection Control CoordinatorInfection Control Coordinator

Women’s and Children’s Women’s and Children’s HospitalHospital

Hand HygieneHand Hygiene

The single most effective method in The single most effective method in the prevention of disease the prevention of disease transmissiontransmission

80 % hospital acquired infections are 80 % hospital acquired infections are thought to be transmitted by handsthought to be transmitted by hands

Healthcare workers think they wash Healthcare workers think they wash their hands more than what they dotheir hands more than what they do

Reasons for poor Reasons for poor compliancecompliance

heavy workloads (too busy)heavy workloads (too busy)

sinks are poorly located sinks are poorly located

skin irritation caused by frequent skin irritation caused by frequent exposure to soap and waterexposure to soap and water

hands don’t look dirtyhands don’t look dirty

hand washing takes too long hand washing takes too long

Improving complianceImproving compliance Introduction of AqiumIntroduction of Aqium

For all clinical areas throughout hospitalFor all clinical areas throughout hospital For all staff that have patient contactFor all staff that have patient contact Already used within other South Already used within other South

Australian hospitalsAustralian hospitals

takes less time to use than watertakes less time to use than water

is more accessible than sinks is more accessible than sinks

cause less skin irritation and cause less skin irritation and drynessdryness

is effective in reducing the is effective in reducing the number of bacteria on hands number of bacteria on hands

has led to improved hand hygiene has led to improved hand hygiene practices practices

Advantages of alcohol Advantages of alcohol based hand gelbased hand gel

When to use soap and When to use soap and water vs Aqiumwater vs Aqium

Soap and waterSoap and water When hands are visibly soiled / When hands are visibly soiled /

contaminatedcontaminated After contact with body fluids / mucous After contact with body fluids / mucous

membranesmembranes

AqiumAqium When hands are NOT visibly soiled / When hands are NOT visibly soiled /

contaminated:contaminated: Clean proceduresClean procedures

Dispense gel onto palm Dispense gel onto palm without touching the nozzlewithout touching the nozzle

Rub hands Rub hands togethertogether

Ensure gel is distributed over Ensure gel is distributed over all surfaces, including:all surfaces, including:•FingersFingers•ThumbsThumbs•Back of handsBack of hands•Finger tipsFinger tips•Between thumbs and fingersBetween thumbs and fingers

How to use AqiumHow to use Aqium

Allow gel to dry prior to Allow gel to dry prior to touching anythingtouching anything

Tips for using AqiumTips for using Aqium

If after cleaning your hands 5 to If after cleaning your hands 5 to 10 times with an alcohol-based 10 times with an alcohol-based handrub, you feel a “build-up” of handrub, you feel a “build-up” of emollients on your hands, emollients on your hands, wash your hands with soap and wash your hands with soap and water. water.

If you clean your hands with an If you clean your hands with an alcohol-based handrub before alcohol-based handrub before putting on gloves, make sure the putting on gloves, make sure the alcohol has dried completely alcohol has dried completely before putting on gloves.before putting on gloves.