The Critical Role of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Infections

Infections acquired in healthcare settings, known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), are a serious concern in Indonesia, affecting anywhere from 6.1% to 16% of patients. These infections can cause harm and even be life-threatening, but there’s a simple way to prevent them: hand hygiene.

Hand hygiene is one of the most effective tools we have in stopping the spread of infections. Hospitals, like Bali International Hospital, follow strict guidelines to ensure that healthcare workers and patients stay safe.

This includes the Five Moments for Hand Hygiene, a system that helps everyone know when and how to wash their hands to prevent infection.

Hand Hygiene Saves Lives, Especially for Children

Hand hygiene is crucial not only for adults but also for children, who are more likely to catch infections. Regular handwashing is one of the easiest ways to stop germs from spreading, especially in places like schools where infections can travel fast.

• Soap and Water vs Alcohol-Based Sanitizers
• Soap and water are the best choice when your hands are visibly dirty, but alcohol-based hand sanitizers work just as well when soap and water aren’t available. Just make sure the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Hand Hygiene in Schools
• UNICEF and other organizations have worked to teach kids the importance of washing their hands. Handwashing before eating and after using the restroom is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections, and it’s a lesson that can help children stay healthy for a lifetime.

Challenges and Solutions in Hand Hygiene Compliance

Even though we know how important hand hygiene is, there are still challenges, especially in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers and the public sometimes don’t have enough access to handwashing stations, and some people may not be fully aware of the correct hand hygiene practices.

• Lack of Facilities and Awareness
• Many healthcare workers, especially in busy settings, may not have access to soap, water, or hand sanitizers when they need it most. This can make it difficult to follow proper hand hygiene guidelines.
• Educational Campaigns
• In response, companies like B. Braun Indonesia and organizations like UNICEF have run educational campaigns to increase awareness about the importance of hand hygiene. These campaigns help teach both healthcare workers and the public the right way to wash hands.
• Improving Access to Handwashing Stations
• One way to address the issue is by increasing the number of handwashing stations in public places like malls, schools, and train stations. Making hand hygiene more accessible to everyone can greatly reduce the spread of infections in the community.

Best Practices for Effective Hand Hygiene

To make sure you’re practicing hand hygiene the right way, it’s important to know when and how to wash your hands. The World Health Organization (WHO) has guidelines that everyone can follow.

• Proper Handwashing Technique: When you wash your hands, make sure to scrub all areas of your hands for at least 20 seconds. This includes the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. This ensures that all germs are removed.
• When to Use Soap vs Hand Sanitizer: Soap and water should be your go-to option if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy. If your hands aren’t visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good alternative and will kill most germs.
• Encouraging Hygiene at Home and in Healthcare: A culture of cleanliness should be promoted at home, in schools, and in healthcare settings. Encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to wash their hands regularly, and make sure there’s always soap, water, or hand sanitizers available.

Our Commitment to Infection Prevention

At our international hospital, we understand how important it is to protect our patients and staff from infections. That’s why we take infection prevention seriously by following strict hand hygiene protocols.

• Training for Staff and Patients: Our healthcare providers are trained regularly on infection prevention and hand hygiene. We also make sure that patients and visitors know how they can protect themselves and others by washing their hands properly.
• Advanced Hygiene Facilities: We’ve invested in state-of-the-art hygiene facilities, including handwashing stations and alcohol-based sanitizers, to ensure that everyone at our hospital has access to the tools they need to stay safe.
• Global Partnerships: We are committed to working with global initiatives like the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure that we are following international best practices when it comes to hand hygiene and infection prevention.

FAQs: Hand Hygiene

What are the 6 steps of hand hygiene?

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water.
2. Apply soap and lather.
3. Scrub all parts of your hands.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5. Dry with a clean towel.
6. Use a tissue to turn off the tap.

What is meant by hand hygiene?

Hand hygiene is the practice of cleaning your hands to remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses that could cause infections.

What are the 5 steps of the “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene”?

The five moments are:

1. Before touching a patient.
2. Before performing a procedure or task.
3. After exposure to body fluids.
4. After touching a patient.
5. After touching the patient’s surroundings.

How long should hand hygiene take?

You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when using soap and water. If using hand sanitizer, rub it in for about 15 seconds.

Protect Yourself and Others with Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of infections. By making it a habit to wash your hands regularly, you can protect yourself and those around you.

Bali International Hospital is committed to providing a safe, clean environment for everyone, and we’re here to help guide you in the right direction when it comes to infection prevention. Protect yourself and others, practice proper hand hygiene every day.

For expert care in a safe and hygienic environment, contact us today.