Infection Control

Question 1

When do you carry out hand hygiene? (8)

Answer 1

1. When hands need to be physically clean
2. To remove ‘transient’ micro-organisms and protect yourself or others
3. Prior to or after contact with the woman/baby/others and their environment
4. Prior to and after contact with the skin/body fluids
5. Prior to handling food
6. When visibly soiled
7. After going to the toilet
8. After coming in contact with potentially soiled

Question 2

What is the rationale for hand hygiene?

Answer 2

The rationale for hand hygiene using soap with warm water is to remove dirt, organic material, dead skin, and most transient organisms

Question 3

When would you use antiseptic rub instead of handwashing?

Answer 3

When hands are visibly clean but to remove transient microorganisms

Question 4

What are the main things to remember when carrying out hand hygiene? (4)

Answer 4

• Remove all jewellery and ensures sleeves are out the way and keep nails short
• Ensure you are aware of the manufactures guidance in soap and antiseptic gel for allergies
• Ensure sink area is clean
• Ensure hand washing is for at least 2 minutes, no more than 3 minutes

Question 5

How do you wash your hands? (10)

Answer 5

1. Turn taps on hands-free where available
2. Wet hands
3. Apply cleansing agent to your palm and rub to interlacing the fingers
4. Rub the palm of one hand along the top of the other back hand and along and between the fingers, make sure the thumbs clean the outer aspect of the hand. Repeat on the next hand
5. Interlock fingers washing the back of fingers and around front of the nails in the palm
6. Wash and rub the finger tips on the opposite palm of the hand, repeat on the other side
7. Wash the thumb by wrapping the fingers around it in a circular motion, repeat on other thumb. Grasp the left wrist and rub around the wrist, repeat for the other wrist
8. Rinse hands with hands with the fingers uppermost and the water running down to the wrist
9. Repeat the above if heavily soiled
10. Turn taps off with elbows or paper towel

Question 6

Explain the drying process(3)

Answer 6

1. Dry each hand and wrist separately
2. Dispose of the towel using foot operated pedal bin (appropriate the waste bag)
3. If hand rub used ensure product has evaporated