CLEANING & HYGIENE
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/infections/how-long-do-bacteria-and-viruses-live-outside-the-body/ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/
140908093640.htm
The Power is in Our Hands
Infection outbreaks of any kind can have serious consequences in care homes and other healthcare settings, particularly in winter. Chris Wakefield, Vice President, European
Marketing and UK & IE Sales, GOJO Industries – Europe Limited, says hand hygiene is crucial to limit the spread of seasonal viruses.
Each year, around this time, we are warned about the dangers of influenza (‘flu’). More than just a bad cold, flu can be debilitating, often leaving people bed-ridden. Symptoms include fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle pain, headaches and fatigue – a formidable list to which even the healthiest person would find it hard not to succumb.
For those already requiring care or in high-risk groups, such as the elderly, the infection can be a lot more
serious, and even prove deadly. In England, the disease kills an average of 8,000 people each year, and can be particularly serious in adults aged 65 and over and those with health problems as they tend to have weaker immune systems.
The flu jab is routinely given free of charge on the NHS to adults aged over 65 and to all frontline health or social carers. However, whilst the vaccination helps people to avoid contracting this dangerous illness, it does not stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary – so it is not a 100% guarantee for a flu-free winter season. That’s why the importance of hand hygiene in care homes and healthcare settings cannot be overestimated.
Aſter all, up to 80% of illnesses are transmitted by the hands. Research has shown that contaminated hands can sequentially transfer some viruses to up to seven surfaces and that 14 people can be infected by touching the same object one aſter the other. What’s more, flu viruses can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours, meaning there is a high chance of exposure to them by residents, patients, visitors and staff.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15350713
It is easy to see how one person’s illness can spread so widely and quickly; even before you consider them coming into direct contact with anyone.
The simple act of hand washing can make a huge difference to health, helping to prevent the spread of germs. Hundreds of studies published over the past 20 years have proven that hand hygiene can break the chain of infection. In fact, it has also been shown to reduce Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI’s) by up to 50%. Therefore, having an effective hand hygiene system in place should be a key infection- prevention strategy in every care home and healthcare setting.
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