Bare below the elbow
Guide
Bare below the elbow Enquiry feedback
The Trusts Dress Code Policy
NHS requirement
The Trusts Dress Code Policy does not define clinical area. However this policy makes clear that ‘Bare below the elbow’ in clinical areas means that, from the door providing direct access to a ward or department where patients are seen or treated, or in any facility where personal care is being provided, all staff must comply with the following :-
The NHS has set out in the ‘Bare below the elbow’ Supplementary Policy for Hand Hygiene (2014) a requirement for healthcare professionals to be bare below the elbow due to the potential risks associated with activities within a healthcare environment. Being bare below the elbow creates more effective hand hygiene and reduces the risk of cross infection. The ‘Bare below the elbow’ Supplementary Policy for Hand Hygiene (2014) highlights that infection is more likely to occur directly via hands or indirectly via an environmental source. Hand mediated transmission is one of the major contributors to the acquisition and spread of infection across hospitals. Ensuring hands are decontaminated effectively using the correct techniques around the hands and wrists is important.
The ‘Bare below the elbow supplementary policy’ (2014) requirements: The‟‘Bare below the elbow’ approach requires that at all times, all trust staff within a clinical area will have a uniform policy. This includes professionals allied to medicine, nurses, doctors and any administration staff who work in clinical areas. The directive to the policy is as follows; • Hands and arms up to the elbow bare/mid forearm are exposed and free from clothing/jewellery. • Any staff who do not wear uniform but have patient contact must adhere to the ‘bare below the elbow’ initiative for the facilitation of hand decontamination. • Clothing worn by all staff must be clean and fit for purpose and hands decontaminated before and after each patient contact.
Conclusion
• Nails should be short and clean no nail polish or extensions • Wrist watches must not be worn • No other jewellery should be worn around the wrist. Alert bracelets must be removed and attached around lanyard or pinned to uniform • No rings with stones should be worn - one plain band is permitted • Sleeves must be short or rolled securely up to the elbow in order to allow access to the wrist for good hand wash technique • Ties should not be worn or, if worn, should be tucked in However, in some circumstances being ‘bare below the elbows’ may cause difficulties to staff due to disability or religion. If this problem occurs, they may gain guidance from infection prevention staff. Where possible, they will aim to accommodate individual requirements.
Alexandra endeavour to support best practice and policy within medical and clinical environments. Therefore we have taken the decision at this time not to provide tunics that will fall below the elbows as part of our healthcare product range.
West Park House Midland Way Thornbury Bristol BS35 2NT t 0333 600 1111 f 0333 700 2222 e customercare@alexandra.co.uk w alexandra.co.uk Jan 2016