Although patients and visitors have a role to play in keeping infection out of wards it is the responsibility of the hospital staff to ensure your safety and follow the guidelines which have been set out by the WHO and the NHS for your “Clean, safe care”.
There are times when it is especially important for staff to wash with soap and water or use antimicrobial hand rubs
before and after any patient contact, or touching your belongings or bedside.
For doctors, nurses or care staff this would include before taking a pulse, using a BP cuff or stethoscope and is
especially important before carrying out any “aseptic” (sterile) procedure such as touching a cannula, catheter or drip tube or changing a dressing.
All staff, including domestic staff and porters,
should clean their hands:
after removing gloves or protective clothing
after handling dirty linen
after handling waste
after handling or touching body fluids or anything dirty
So when is it OK to ask staff
"Have you washed your hands?"
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Infection Protection .Org Tel: 01530 231431 Email: info@infectionprotection.org.uk
before and after any patient contact, or touching your belongings or bedside.
