Handwashing Assignment
Hand hygiene is the primary measure in reducing infections. (World health Organization, 2009)
Having had two recent placements on an elderly medicine and a surgical ward I quickly learned the importance of good hand hygiene. These placements required me to become competent in hand hygiene as on both wards I would come into contact with wound dressings and the prevention of infections spreading. Being included in daily wound dressings I was able to pick up the skill of hand washing fairly quickly. Hand washing is a crucial factor in the prevention of controlling infection. Therefore it is vital that it is carried out correctly, however it can quite often be overlooked and not put into practice when it should be.
On both of these placements I had decided with my mentors that a main focus of my experience on the wards would be to understand the importance of infection control, and how hand washing effectively would improve the care I provided. Before my placements I had basic knowledge of hand washing however I didn’t feel that it was to the extent that I needed. This caused me to put time into learning from my mentors and also looking at guidelines and policies to gain a good understanding of infection control.
I feel that from the many skills I have learnt from practice, hand washing would be the skill that I feel I have improved upon the most, therefore I feel that it would be appropriate to discuss how I have become competent in this particular skill.
Hand washing essentially reduces the risk of microbial contamination. This then minimises the risk of infections being passed onto patients, clients, staff and visitors. (Department Of Health, 2006) In order for microbes to cause any infection, they must gain an entrance into the body. Different organisms have different ways of entering the body, one of the most likely routes is from the hands; therefore it is crucial that the hands are always washed effectively. (Health Protection Agency, 2007)
Hands must be
Having had two recent placements on an elderly medicine and a surgical ward I quickly learned the importance of good hand hygiene. These placements required me to become competent in hand hygiene as on both wards I would come into contact with wound dressings and the prevention of infections spreading. Being included in daily wound dressings I was able to pick up the skill of hand washing fairly quickly. Hand washing is a crucial factor in the prevention of controlling infection. Therefore it is vital that it is carried out correctly, however it can quite often be overlooked and not put into practice when it should be.
On both of these placements I had decided with my mentors that a main focus of my experience on the wards would be to understand the importance of infection control, and how hand washing effectively would improve the care I provided. Before my placements I had basic knowledge of hand washing however I didn’t feel that it was to the extent that I needed. This caused me to put time into learning from my mentors and also looking at guidelines and policies to gain a good understanding of infection control.
I feel that from the many skills I have learnt from practice, hand washing would be the skill that I feel I have improved upon the most, therefore I feel that it would be appropriate to discuss how I have become competent in this particular skill.
Hand washing essentially reduces the risk of microbial contamination. This then minimises the risk of infections being passed onto patients, clients, staff and visitors. (Department Of Health, 2006) In order for microbes to cause any infection, they must gain an entrance into the body. Different organisms have different ways of entering the body, one of the most likely routes is from the hands; therefore it is crucial that the hands are always washed effectively. (Health Protection Agency, 2007)
Hands must be