Question

Explain the importance of personal hygiene, good grooming and cleanliness to pharmacist/pharmacy technician in a pharmacy. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Keeping clean is essential for good health; poor hygiene can cause skin complaints, unpleasant smells and bacterial or parasitic infections; poor dental care can also give rise to bad breath. Unwashed clothes are often a source of undesirable smells. Staff should come work having attended to their personal hygiene each day with clean clothes and hair and free from unpleasant odours. Clean uniform should be worn each day and replaced if it becomes soiled during a shift.

Personal hygiene is a necessity of life. Staying clean helps us to build relationships, stay healthy, and raises our self-esteem. Practicing a hygienic lifestyle means washing and maintaining all parts of the body that affect appearance and smell with regular bathing, brushing teeth, and the washing of hair. In a healthcare job, it is especially important to stay clean and take care of your personal hygiene. After all, staying clean helps maintain a healthy environment for your patients. In fact, poor hygiene can lead to the spread of diseases. Following are 5 tips to be followed by a healthcare professional:

1. Bathe before every work shift: Bathing before every work shift should be part of basic personal hygiene routine. Bathing helps prepare one for a busy day at work where one needs to be clean for patients’ health. When one bathe, it’s best to use unscented soaps. Any lingering scent or perfume could trigger an allergic reaction in patients. Bathing and washing hair will help prevent the spread of germs and diseases in everyday interactions with the patients. It will also help to feel clean and more prepared for the work shift.

2. Wash your hands: Make sure to thoroughly wash hands throughout the work day. Many infections, like the common cold, are caught when unwashed hands that contain germs and bacteria, touch items shared with others. Remember to wash after each meal and when one comes into contact with each patient. If using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rub hands until they are dry. Washing the hands will make one feel cleaner and ready to tackle the daily duties.

3. Clean your work outfit: The work outfit (usually scrubs) will get dirty on many occasions. Spills, bodily fluids, and other matter can get on the clothes when working with patients. When one gets home from the shift, wash the clothes to kill germs and get rid of stains. Washing the clothes right away will help keep the home germ free, limit the spread of germs to the patients, and keep the appearance tidy.

4. Brush your teeth: Brushing teeth twice a day will benefit the personal appearance and health. Remember to brush teeth before work shift to maintain clean teeth and good breath. Since one is interacting closely with patients, their families, and co-workers all day one needs to be presentable. Smiling is an important social skill that can help patients feel better.

5. Trim your Nails:Long nails can get in the way of working and they can quickly become unsanitary. Avoid wearing long acrylic nails. They could get in the way when handling tools or helping patients. Instead, make sure the nails are trimmed and presentable. Patients and their families may feel more comfortable and confident with someone who takes care of their appearance. Short, well-kept nails will also help your hands fit into gloves.