The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Aged Care: 5 Moments to Remember

In aged care, the importance of hand hygiene cannot be overstated. As healthcare workers interact with residents, they bring their own germs and potential infections into the facility. Without proper hand hygiene, these infections can spread quickly among residents and staff. Standard Precautions are a set of routine infection prevention and control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases associated with healthcare. One of the most critical components of Standard Precautions is hand hygiene.

So, when do we need to prioritize hand hygiene in aged care? Here are 5 moments of hand hygiene that are essential to remember:

1. Before patient interaction: Before touching or interacting with a resident, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This moment is crucial as it prevents the spread of infection from healthcare workers to residents.

2. After patient contact: Immediately after completing care activities, wash your hands again to prevent the transfer of germs from one resident to another.

3. After contact with bodily fluids: If you've come into contact with a resident's bodily fluids, such as blood or vomit, wash your hands as soon as possible to prevent infection transmission.

4. Before and after donning personal protective equipment (PPE): When putting on PPE, such as gloves or gowns, wash your hands first to prevent the transfer of germs from your skin to your clothes or equipment. After removing PPE, wash your hands again to prevent the spread of infection.

5. After contact with patient's environment: If you've touched a resident's environment, such as their bed rails or call bell, wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection.

By following these 5 moments of hand hygiene in aged care, healthcare workers can significantly reduce the risk of infection transmission and protect both residents and themselves. Remember, hand hygiene is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. Make it a habit to prioritize hand hygiene every time you interact with a resident or their environment.