WHO issues guidelines on hand hygiene for healthcare workers
The World Health Organization has released a new report, "Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care," which target administrators, public health officials and healthcare workers.When it comes to educating healthcare workers on hand hygiene techniques, the focus should be on factors that influence behavior, rather than specific hygiene products, report authors say. It is also important to highlight situations in which patient-care activities can lead to hand contamination, they add.
Among their observations and recommendations for hand hygiene techniques: Rub a palmful of alcohol-based hand-rub over all hand surfaces until dry; use a towel to turn off the tap or faucet, and do not reuse the towel; liquid, bar, leaf, or powdered soap is acceptable; bars should be small and placed in racks that allow drainage; soap and alcohol-based hand-rub should not be used together.
For more information, visit:
http://www.who.int/gpsc/tools/en
http://www.mcknights.com/Guidelines-on-Hand-Hygiene-for-Healthcare-Workers-from-the-World-Health-Organization/article/136404/
