WASHROOM Preventing the Spread
Dr Peter Barratt, Technical Manager, at Initial Washroom Hygiene discusses the steps care home workers can take to ensure hygiene standards are kept at a high standard.
Staff in care homes provide high levels of care for some of the most vulnerable people in the UK, and do a great job in what can be very challenging circumstances. One particular challenge they face is preventing the spread of germs throughout the centre, with residents and staff moving between their private rooms and communal areas, as well as a constant influx of visitors.
It All Starts in the Washroom
Contagious illnesses are often passed from person to person through indirect contact. A little extra care in hand and surface hygiene goes a long way in helping to prevent common illnesses from spreading through the care home. So it is vital to promote good washroom habits.
In its simplest form in a care environment hand washing is a three step process; wash, dry and sanitise. Installing hand wash stations with liquid or foam hand wash and water, as well as hand sanitisers, will help ensure that this process is followed. People rarely wash their hands for long enough (20- 30 seconds is the recommended length of time) and do not always dry their hands properly, which is important as damp hands spread up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands. With these facts in mind, it is a good idea to display posters in washrooms with hand washing and drying guidelines, so that the correct hand washing techniques are encouraged amongst everyone using the washroom facilities.
A Four-Step Guide: Maintaining Hygiene
Hand Sanitisers at the Ready Aside from encouraging staff and visitors to regularly wash and then dry their hands thoroughly, hand sanitisers should always be available.
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The most effective sanitisers are those which are not alcohol-based. Initial’s UltraProtect forms a gentle, long-lasting and invisible barrier across hands, inactivating germs for hours after use and protecting against a wide range of bacteria and viruses, including coliforms, Campylobacter and Norovirus, outbreaks of which can commonly affect care homes. We recommend that hand sanitiser dispensers are available in reception, corridors and in the kitchen areas. No-touch models are available in both soap and sanitiser dispensers to help break the cross-infection pathways.
throughout the centre.”
challenge – preventing the spread of germs
“Staff in care homes face one particular
Regular Cleaning Regimes Ensure regular, thorough cleaning takes place in communal indoor spaces like lobbies, kitchens, the residents lounge, washroom facilities and corridors. It is recommended that care homes undertake a professional deep clean at least twice a year to prevent the build-up of hidden embedded dirt and contamination, and the associated microorganisms.
Ensure table tops, shelves and any shared equipment is cleaned regularly using anti-bacterial surface wipes.
Introduce Air Disinfection Although germs end up settling on surfaces such as furniture or floors, most start off airborne. Quiet, fan-driven air disinfection and air steriliser units will help reduce airborne microorganisms, odours and cross-infection.
Reduce Virus Spread Ensure staff who contract a viral or bacterial illness stay away for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have disappeared to avoid wider contamination amongst fellow employees or residents of the care home. Remember, people spread germs, and those that are already infected present the most significant risk.
Final Thoughts
Hand and surface hygiene is critical to reduce the spread of germs. This is particularly important in care homes, where many elderly residents may well be at increased risk of contracting contagious illnesses. If you’d like to seek advice on the cleanliness in your facility, or are unsure about the UK regulatory requirements surrounding hygiene standards then it’s best to seek the advice of an expert.
www.initial.co.uk - 29 -
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