Hand Hygiene - why is it so important?

All patients (adults, children and babies) are at risk of getting illnesses caused by germs found in hospitals. Many germs are spread from person to person simply by touching (i.e. germs on hands after touching a piece of equipment or a sick child).

Doctors, Nurses and other healthcare workers should wash their hands before and after each patient they see. It is policy at The Royal Children's Hospital to practice hand hygiene and for staff to inform visitors to perform hand hygiene. All parents, patients and caregivers may ask staff members " Have you washed your hands?"

What are germs?

There are many different types of germs, such as viruses or bacteria. Germs can make people sick. You can get germs on your hands when you touch objects and when you touch other people. Once germs are on your hands, they can get inside your body through a wound or when you touch your eyes, nose of mouth. You can also spread germs on your hands to objects or people that you touch. The most common infections are spread through touching.

How can we stop the spread of germs?

Washing your hands and your children's hands is the best thing to stop the spread of germs. There are also antiseptic 'gels' that you can rub into your hands to stop the spread of infections in the hospital. You will find these gels in the wards and around the hospital.

When to wash your hands?

Before:

Entering a ward
You eat/prepare food
Breastfeeding
Feeding a child
Giving medication to a child
Touching/cuddling/holding a sick child

After

Changing a nappy
Helping a child use the toilet
Using the toilet yourself
Wiping your nose or your child's nose
Touching/cuddling/holding your child
After you use the bathroom
Your hands are dirty

How to wash your hands?

Developed by the Infection Control Department. First published 2004. Reviewed August 2008.