Hands are the most common way by which microorganisms are spread. Therefore good hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the spread of infection.
Hand hygiene covers hand washing and hand rub. Hand hygiene products (wash or rub) should meet the obligatory and additional BS EN standards. Hand rub can be alcohol-based or non-alcohol based if the product meets the required BS EN standards. These standards are listed in the NIPCM Hand Hygiene Literature Review [1]. If products do not meet the required standards, then you must complete a risk assessment to ensure safe systems of work are adopted.
Although gloves are worn for all clinical and decontamination processes, they are not a substitute for hand hygiene because microorganisms can flourish under gloves. Hand hygiene must be carried out before putting on gloves and after removing them.
Hand hygiene is one of the Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) described in the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual [2]. This manual provides guidance on when and how to perform safe and effective hand hygiene and provides three posters that could be displayed near hand hygiene areas: 5 moments for hand hygiene; How to hand wash; How to hand rub.
Ensure staff are aware of the importance of hand hygiene and are trained in effective hand hygiene techniques.
Ensure appropriate hand hygiene products are available, and are used and stored correctly.
- The NHS NSS Hand hygiene: Products Literature Review [1], provides further information on appropriate products
Ensure paper towels for drying hands are disposed of in the correct waste stream.
Consider the use of emollient hand cream to prevent drying and cracking of the skin.
Encourage staff to work through the Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) Hand Hygiene Module [3].
Ensure staff are familiar with the practice’s policy on hand hygiene and follow the related hand hygiene procedures (see Hand Hygiene Policy and Proecdures template).
Sources of information
- Literature review: Hand hygiene: Products (version 5) NHS National Services Scotland (2024)
- National Infection and Prevention Control Manual. NHS National Services Scotland
- Hand Hygiene module. Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP) (requires TURAS account and log in)