Hand Hygiene

Infections spread when germs move from a source to a person who can be harmed by them. In this lesson you will learn the six links in the chain of infection and why breaking just one link stops an infection in its tracks. Key points: germs need a source, a way out, a way to travel, a way in and a person who is susceptible. Many of the people we support have health conditions, age or medication that make them more vulnerable. Hand hygiene breaks the chain at the most common link: the way germs travel.

Hands touch people, equipment and surfaces hundreds of times a shift, which makes them the main vehicle for moving germs from one place to another. This lesson explains why hands carry germs, which germs matter most in disability and aged care settings, and why clean hands protect both participants and you. Key points: germs survive on skin and surfaces for hours or days, you cannot see them, and a few seconds of hand hygiene removes most of them.

Hand hygiene is a core expectation of every worker. This lesson connects hand hygiene to the NDIS Code of Conduct, the NDIS Practice Standards, the Aged Care Quality Standards and our own infection prevention and control policy. Key points: providing safe and competent supports includes following infection control practices, you are expected to complete this training and apply it on every shift, and you should speak up if you see something unsafe.

The 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene, developed by the World Health Organization and used across Australian health and care services, tell you exactly when to clean your hands. The moments are: 1. before touching a participant, 2. before a procedure, 3. after a procedure or body fluid exposure risk, 4. after touching a participant, and 5. after touching a participant's surroundings. Moments 1 and 2 protect the participant. Moments 3, 4 and 5 protect you and the environment.

Most disability and home care support happens in people's homes, vehicles and the community rather than in a hospital. This lesson shows how the 5 Moments apply in these settings. Key points: a participant's surroundings include their bed, wheelchair, mobility aids, phone and personal belongings; carry your own alcohol based hand rub; clean your hands when you arrive and before you leave; and plan ahead when there is no sink nearby.

Beyond the 5 Moments, there are everyday situations where hand hygiene is essential. These include before preparing or eating food, after using the toilet, after handling waste or dirty laundry, after removing gloves, after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, after touching animals, and before and after your breaks. This lesson also covers respiratory hygiene: cover coughs and sneezes, bin used tissues and then clean your hands.

There are two ways to clean your hands: alcohol based hand rub and soap and water. Hand rub is the preferred method for most situations because it is faster, kills more germs and is gentler on skin. Use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty, after using the toilet, before eating or preparing food, and when caring for someone with gastro (vomiting or diarrhoea), because hand rub does not work well against some gastro germs.

Good technique matters as much as timing. To use alcohol based hand rub: apply enough product to cover all surfaces of both hands, rub palm to palm, rub the back of each hand, interlace your fingers, rub the backs of your fingers, rub each thumb, and rub your fingertips into each palm. Keep rubbing until your hands are completely dry, which takes 20 to 30 seconds. Do not wipe or rinse the rub off.

To wash your hands correctly: wet your hands with running water, apply enough soap to cover all surfaces, rub using the same steps as hand rub for at least 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, dry completely with a single use paper towel, and use the towel to turn off the tap. The whole process takes 40 to 60 seconds. Drying is important because damp hands spread germs more easily. Avoid shared cloth towels in participants' homes where possible.

Gloves reduce contact with blood, body fluids, broken skin and chemicals, but they are not a substitute for hand hygiene. Gloves can have tiny holes and hands can become contaminated when gloves are removed. Always clean your hands before putting gloves on and immediately after taking them off. Gloves are single use: change them between participants, between tasks on the same participant (for example from toileting to meal support) and whenever they are torn or soiled.

Frequent hand hygiene can dry your skin, and damaged skin carries more germs and is harder to clean. Look after your hands by using alcohol based hand rub for most moments (it contains moisturisers and is gentler than repeated washing), using warm rather than hot water, patting hands dry, and applying a work approved moisturiser during breaks and after your shift. Report any redness, cracking or soreness to your team leader early.

Good hand hygiene depends on having nothing in the way. Keep nails short, clean and natural, with no nail polish, acrylic or gel nails. Remove wrist watches, bracelets and rings with stones; a plain band is acceptable. Roll sleeves above the wrist during personal care. Cover cuts with a waterproof dressing. Finally, encourage and support the participants you work with to clean their own hands, especially before meals and after using the toilet, in a way that respects their choices and abilities.