Basic hygiene, and in particular hand washing, is not the most exciting thing to talk about, but with cold weather approaching, and all the bugs associated with it, it seems fitting to remind everyone to be clean-conscious.
Winter vomiting virus can be very serious, and unfortunately cannot be eradicated by hand gels/wipes etc. Good cleanliness and handwashing is therefore extremely important.
There are various web-sites available to explain the procedure for hand-washing (just ask ‘Google’), but the basics are:
• Wet hands completely
• Soap using any type, but plenty of it!!
• Wash hands thoroughly. You should continue washing for approximately 20 seconds, and a good way of estimating this is to hum the tune ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. Parts often missed are the back of thumbs and wrists.
• Rinse all soap off. If you are particularly concerned, or you have been ill, turn off the tap using a paper towel.
• Dry thoroughly.
The NMC asks that everyone, including patients, staff and visitors, should be symptom-free from diarrhoea and vomiting for 48 hours before they attend. Coughs and colds are also a big problem, particularly for those who already have compromised breathing or immune problems and so you are asked to bear this in mind when you attend.
If you are in any doubt, then contact the NMC for advice, and please let them know with as much advance warning as possible if you wish to cancel an appointment for any reason.
Different conditions, different backgrounds and different experiences.
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