Hand hygiene

You should wash your hands properly and often, especially:

• after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose
• before, during and after preparing food
• before eating
• after going to the toilet or changing a nappy
• when your hands are visibly dirty
• before and after smoking
• after handling or patting animals
• before and after taking care of someone who is sick
• when you enter and leave a healthcare facility.

Most of us don’t pay attention to how we wash our hands, but it’s important to do it the right way.

Use soap and water

If soap and water is available or your hands are visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water.

• Wet your hands and apply the soap.
• Rub the soap all over your hands. Pay attention to the backs of your hands and fingers, fingernails, fingertips, and the webbing between fingers.
  
• Rinse your hands under running water.
• Pat hands dry with a towel, paper towel or use the hot air dryers, making sure your hands are completely dry.
  

Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser

If soap and water are not available hand sanitiser can be used.

• Dispense enough product to cover your hands, usually one pump is enough.
• Rub all surfaces of your hands. Pay attention to the backs of your hands and fingers, fingernails, fingertips, and the webbing between fingers.
  
• Rub hands together until the product has disappeared and your hands are dry.

Alcohol-based hand rubs come in small containers which can be carried in your bag or briefcase, or in your pocket. They are ideal for travelling.

Poster

• How to wash your hands poster (PDF 1MB)

When we are fit and healthy we can usually defend ourselves against germs and infections. Having healthy and intact (unbroken) skin is one of the ways we can do this.

When you are not well, such as after an operation, your ability to fight infection can be weakened. Having an infection in hospital can result in:

• a longer stay in hospital
• slower recovery
• additional stress for all concerned.
• use of antibiotics

Each time you visit someone in a healthcare facility it is very important that you clean your hands, even if they look clean.

Hand rub should be located in all patient care areas and in high traffic areas in all healthcare facilities.

Working together

Research has shown that improving hand hygiene:

• among healthcare workers can reduce the spread of germs in hospital settings
• protects both patients and healthcare workers
• reduces the number of healthcare associated infections.

Western Australian hospitals provide access to hand hygiene products for healthcare workers, patients and visitors. Alcohol-based hand rubs can be found throughout all hospitals including, within each patient's bed area, in corridors and public areas.

Your healthcare worker should always perform hand hygiene in front of you, prior to any contact with you or your medical devices e.g. your catheter or drip, or if changing dressings. If you did not see them do this and are worried, please feel free to remind them.

Jack and the Big Germ is an illustrated children’s book developed by the WA Country Health Service in partnership with Pilbara Aboriginal communities.

Through storytelling, Jack and the Big Germ encourages children to wash their face and hands, brush their teeth, and avoid sharing towels.

This resource is ideal for:

• primary schools and early childhood centres
• community health clinics
• outreach programs and yarning circles
• health promotion sessions and family workshops.