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PROTOCOL ON HAND HYGIENE

Purpose​

To prevent and reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections.

Responsible​

All working staff at the unit, both medical and supporting staff; doctors, nurses and grade 4 staff.

Procedure​

No staff is at any time allowed to wear jewellery like rings, bangles or watches. All finger nails are to be cut short. Nail polish is not allowed.

When to wash your hands​

  • At the beginning of your shift
  • After body fluid exposure risk
  • When your hands are soiled, e.g. secretion, blood or stool
  • After food break

When to wash or disinfect your hands​

  • Before and after patient contact
  • Before an aseptic procedure
  • Entering a ward
  • After touching patients surroundings
  • Before and after the use of gloves

Hand wash is to be performed for 2 minutes prior to entering a ward. It must be performed between 40-60 seconds before and after touching a patients etc. Wash hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows. Hand disinfection is to be preformed between 20-30 seconds. Never use common towel for drying your hands.

When to use gloves​

  • When changing a baby’s diaper
  • During suctioning (sterilised gloves)
  • During intubation (sterilised gloves)
  • During administration of antibiotics
  • During invasive procedure (sterilised gloves)

All gloves are disposable. One pair of gloves per patient. If there is a lack of gloves, the gloves can be disinfected with hand disinfection liquid. If the gloves are soiled, the gloves are to be cleaned with soap and water.

tip

When you have washed or disinfected your hands, or put on gloves, do not touch anything e.g. hair, pen or patients journal until you carry out the required job.

References​

WHO “5 moments of hand hygiene” (2014), Practical Procedures for the Newborn Nursery, A Manual for Physicians & Nurses, by Deorari, Paul, Singhal, Scotland and McMillan, Third Edition (2010), and Neonatal Intensive Care by Merenstein and Gardner, 7th edition (2011).

Document Information​

Archived Version

Version: 1.0 (Archived)
Published: August 3, 2015
Contributors: Teaching Nurses from Norway and FBNCU Nursing Staff, JK Lone Hospital, SMS Medical College, Jaipur
View: Current Version