Why should I wash my hands?
Handwashing is the simplest and easiest way of preventing the spread of infection. Hands may look clean but invisible micro-organisms (germs) are always present, some harmful, some not.
When should I wash my hands?
- before and after preparing food
- before meal times
- after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- after visiting the toilet or changing nappies
- after touching animals or animal waste
- whenever hands are visibly dirty
- before and after carrying out physical care, eg handling body fluids, emptying a urinary catheter bag, dressing a wound or wearing medical gloves
General hand care
- keep nails short, to prevent bacteria (germs) growing under nails
- dry hands well to prevent chapping
- cover cuts and abrasions with a waterproof dressing
- use hand cream to protect hands from chapping
How do I wash my hands?
- ideally remove all wrist and hand jewellery (if you wear a wedding ring it is important that you
wash under it) - wet hands under warm running water, apply soap and rub vigorously for at least 15 seconds
covering all surfaces of the hands - rinse under running water and dry thoroughly
Alcohol gel/hand rub
If you are visiting healthcare premises eg a clinic, you may be asked to use an alcohol gel or hand rub. This is an acceptable alternative to hand washing with soap and water. The solution should be
applied to all areas of the hands until the solution dries (approximately 15-20 seconds).
When not to use alcohol hand rub
Alcohol hand rub is not effective against some infections that cause diarrhoea, eg Norovirus,
Clostridium difficile. It should not be used if hands are dirty as dirt prevents alcohol hand rub working.
Handwashing steps
Follow these steps to wash your hands properly:
- Rub hands palm to palm
- Rub back of each hand with the palm of the other hand with fingers interlaced
- Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced
- Rub with backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlaced
- Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand using rotational movement
- Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in a circular motion
- Rub each wrist with opposite hand

If a member of our clinical staff needs to examine you or undertake a procedure, do not be afraid
to ask if they have cleaned their hands. Our clinical staff are trained to expect patients to ask this
question
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