COVER STORY: Training vital for effective hygiene

Essity’s Liam Mynes considers the importance of training in order to ensure good hand and surface hygiene outcomes in the healthcare and elderly care sectors.

It is now widely understood that healthcare staff need to ensure that their hands are kept clean at all times to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly brought home to us the importance of hand hygiene – as well as surface cleaning – when interacting with vulnerable patients. But how often should the hands be washed, and how can hand-cleaning be executed in the most effective possible way? What constitutes a good “surface clean” and how do cleaners know whether or not they are carrying it out properly?

Training is vital to ensure that all members of staff know what to do and when to do it. In fact, studies show that many healthcare workers would actually like to be given enhanced hand hygiene instruction.

A recent survey carried out by United Minds on behalf of Essity revealed that 80 per cent of healthcare professionals were keen to improve their hand hygiene compliance, adding that they found most traditional training modules uninspiring. Around 60 per cent of the 1,000-plus staff members polled said they would also like hand hygiene to be given a higher priority in their unit.

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.

Latest Issues

Central Sterilising Club Annual Scientific Meeting 2025

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester
14th - 15th April 2025

AfPP Newcastle Regional Conference

Herschel Building, Newcastle University
26th April 2025

Infection Prevention and Control 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th – 30th April 2025

Decontamination and Sterilisation 2025 Conference and Exhibition

The National Conference Centre, Birmingham
29th April 2025

GS1 UK Healthcare Conference

QEII Centre, London Westminster
29th – 30th April 2025

Scottish Intensive Care Society Conference 2025

Crieff Hydro Hotel, Scotland
1st - 2nd May 2025