Question

Every day we are involved in good personal hygiene practices (for example: showering). Good hygiene practices are essential in a healthcare environment not only for our own health and safety but also to protect our clients. Provide examples of good personal hygiene practices we can follow when working in a health care facility ensuring you include the importance of hand care in your answer (in 50-70 words).

Answer 1

Good hygienic practices are very important to health care professionals as it prevents cross infections and also prevents the nasocomial infections. It protects both the clients and the nurses.

Some of the ways the nurse ensures hygienic environment is maintained in health care system are :

• Wash hands regularly. When you come across a the other patient and have to examine , wash hands thoroughly. Wash hands with soap and water and follow the steps of medical handwashing.
• Medical handwashing involves washing from wrist to fingers. Apply soap and rub palms first and then the back of the palm and then rotational rubbing of each finger followed by fingertips and then washing off the soap with plain water. This ensures to prevent the spread the micro organisms from one patient to the other.
• The nurse should not touch the face or nailbite without washing hands.
• The nurse has to follow the principle of cleaning like high to low. This prevents the spread of microorganisms.
• The nurse should wear gloves when there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids.
• The nurse must wear masks inorder to prevent the airborne infections while dealing with respiratory infectious diseases.
• Ask the patient to wear mask if the patient is having cough and cold .

These are some of the hygienic practices that the health care professional must follow for the safety and protection of clients and themselves.

Thank you.