Infection Prevention Solutions
products being actively decontamination.
recommended
as
the
gold
standard
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hand
Liquid soap products containing antibacterial agents (as are widely available in supermarkets) are not necessary for routine hand decontamination and should be avoided in health care environments. Some soap formulations are also available as foams. These are acceptable. Antiseptic detergent products (e.g. Chlorhexidine, povidone iodine) These products are designed for use when a higher level of antimicrobial kill is required e.g. when it is necessary to remove / reduce resident as well as transient micro-organisms. This is usually only necessary prior to surgical procedures and certain high risk invasive procedures. In primary care facilities e.g. GP surgeries, health centres etc. antiseptic detergent products should be available where minor surgical procedures and / or Minimal Access Interventions (MAIs) are undertaken.
Hand wash facilities: Soap and alcohol containers / dispensers All soap and alcohol products should be dispensed from a sealed container, which delivers a measured amount of product. The nozzle must be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging and contamination. Open containers and refillable containers must not be used as they can become contaminated with micro-organisms. Ideally, containers should be wall mounted with a pump-action and operated with heel of hand or wrist, not fingers. Best practice recommendation to minimise the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, is for alcohol gel dispensers to be located at point of use instead of above hand wash sinks or alternatively use individual hand rub dispensers. Paper towels Good quality, absorbent paper towels should be available for use at all hand wash basins. Towels should be dispensed from wall-mounted dispensers to avoid contamination. Hand cream Hand cream should be available for staff use. Ideally, it should be provided in wallmounted dispensers or from a pump-action container. Tubes or jars of hand cream must be avoided as they are easily contaminated. Nozzles must be cleaned regularly to prevent clogging and contamination.
Sample Issue Date: 01/10/2022 Review Date: 30/09/2024
Hand Hygiene Infection Prevention Solutions ©2022 Page 4 of 10
