Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is the best way to avoid passing on pathogenic microorganisms and preventing infection.

The National Hand Hygiene Initiative aims to reduce healthcare associated infections

• by reducing germs passed on by healthcare workers' hands
• by improving hand hygiene among healthcare workers.

Hand hygiene compliance in hospitals is audited three times a year. Details of this are on the Hand Hygiene Australia website.

Always use the '5 Moments for Hand Hygiene'

There are the five moments healthcare workers must perform hand hygiene during the care of patients.

Perform hand hygiene by using an alcohol based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.

Alcohol-based hand rubs are often more effective in clinical situations because they:

• require less time to use
• reduce germs on your hands
• cause less skin irritation
• are more easily accessible to carers
• are more cost effective.

But if your hands are visibly dirty, you must wash them with soap and water.

Hand Hygiene Program in Statewide and Mental Health Services