A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands. Show
These diseases include gastrointestinal infections, such as salmonellosis, and respiratory infections, such as influenza, colds and coronavirus . Washing your hands properly with soap and water can help prevent the spread of the germs (like bacteria and viruses) that cause these diseases. Some forms of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections can cause serious complications, especially for young children, the elderly, or those with a weakened immune system. When to wash your handsYou should wash your hands thoroughly:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. If you feel a cough or sneeze is coming on, make sure to cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away and wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow. It’s a part of your body less likely to touch other surfaces and will help stop the spread of nasty germs. How to wash your hands properlyTo wash hands properly:
At home, give each family member their own towel and wash the towels often. Use running waterUse running water instead of a basin of standing water that could become contaminated through use. Warm water may be better than cold for handwashing as soap lathers (soaps up) better with warm water. However, cold water and soap are still suitable. Hot water can damage the skin’s natural oils. Over time, this can cause dermatitis. Soap is importantWashing hands with soap and water will remove substantially more disease-causing organisms than washing hands with water alone. For people who find that soap causes skin irritation, it is useful to note that soaps can have a different pH – they may be neutral, slightly alkaline or slightly acidic, and perfumes in soap may also cause irritation. Changing soap may help some people. Liquid soap is bestGenerally, it is better to use liquid soap than bar soap, particularly at work. However, bar soap is better than no soap. No advantage to using antibacterial soapWhen following the handwashing steps outlined above, all soaps are equally effective at removing disease causing germs. Antibacterial soap is unnecessary and does not offer an advantage over regular soap. Soap and water is better than hand sanitiserAlcohol-based hand sanitisers are effective against some viruses (such as coronavirus), however they are not effective against gastroenteritis. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent gastroenteritis infection. It is best to wash hands with soap and water. If unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol. Take care of your handsHandwashing is only one part of hand hygiene. Looking after your skin generally is important, as your skin is your most effective barrier against infection. After your hands have been dried thoroughly, you can help to look after your hands if you:
Teach hand hygiene to childrenThe creation of healthy habits during childhood is important to ensure lifelong healthy decisions and actions. Get kids involved with ‘Soapy Hero’ training to help keep their classmates, family and friends healthy and stop the spread of dangerous infectious diseases with hand hygiene. Watch this video about hand hygiene. Where to get help
Improving hand hygiene among healthcare workers is a key strategy to minimise the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms within hospitals and has been prioritised by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). Poor hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers is strongly associated with healthcare associated infection (HAI) transmission and is a major factor in the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms within hospitals. Improving hand hygiene among healthcare workers will help minimise the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms within hospitals and has been prioritised by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). The ACSQHC has engaged Hand Hygiene Australia to implement the National Hand Hygiene Initiative. The National Hand Hygiene Initiative aims to improve hand hygiene compliance of healthcare workers in acute care settings. Read more about the initiative and find Hand Hygiene Australia's resources: Improving hand hygiene compliance in healthcare workers is reliant on a number of factors including, human behaviour, organisational culture and leadership. A multifaceted approach is required in order to achieve improved hand hygiene compliance. Risks associated with poor hand hygieneHealthcare associated infections (HAIs) pose a serious threat to people admitted to hospital and contribute to the economic burden of healthcare.
Hand Hygiene Compliance ApplicationThe Hand Hygiene Compliance Application (HHCApp) has been developed for use by Australian hospitals to conveniently report their Hand Hygiene Compliance rates as part of the National Hand Hygiene Initiative. The HHCApp can be accessed from a mobile web browser, allowing the use of mobile devices to gather data. For further information or to login please go to the HHCApp page at Hand Hygiene Australia. ComplianceThere are many reasons for suboptimal hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers, including:
Research has shown that behavioural change requires a multi-level, multidisciplinary, multi-modal program. Hand hygiene compliance programs should consider:
Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) provides resources and guidance for all Australian healthcare facilities. Last updated: 13 November 2019 |