Brand Guidelines

HAND HYGIENE: HELP US TO HELP YOU

Information on hand hygiene within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Why is hand hygiene important?Patients and visitors have a key role to play in preventing the spread of healthcare associated infections. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of helping to prevent the spread of infections.

The easiest way to spread infection is by our hands. Hands can become contaminated with germs from contact with other people, equipment and our surroundings. This contact can cause infection.

Facilities for washing hands are available on each ward or department. All in-patient wards have a hand wash sink at the entrance. Patients and visitors are asked to make use of these facilities every time you enter or leave the ward.

When should I wash my hands?• On entering wards/ clinical areas

• Before and after helping relatives eat or drink

• Before and after helping relatives with any personal care

• Before leaving wards/ clinical areas

• On arriving home/ work after your visit.

How should I wash my hands properly?Hand washing with soap and running water is the best way to get your hands clean if they are visibly dirty. Soap is provided at hand wash sinks all around the hospital. A chart on the back page of this leaflet shows you the best way to do this.

What about using a hand sanitiser?This is a quick and convenient alternative to hand washing for hands which are not visibly dirty or when soap and water for hand washing is not readily available. Hand sanitiser is provided in dispensers around the hospital and in most wards at the bedside.

What about the doctors and nurses looking after me or my loved one?As a patient or visitor in hospital, you should expect to see all healthcare workers clean their hands before and after they provide care. If you are not sure if they have, please ask!

Healthcare workers are trained in the importance of hand hygiene and will not mind being asked. Sometimes they may have cleaned their hands out of your sight, so asking them will reassure you they have cleaned their hands.

At QE Gateshead we are committed to reducing the risk of infection.

Hand hygiene plays a vital role in keeping our patients safe.

Remember it’s ok to ask!

Brand Guidelines

Queen Elizabeth HospitalQueen Elizabeth Avenue, Sheriff Hill Gateshead, Tyne and Wear NE9 6SXTel: 0191 482 0000www.qegateshead.nhs.uk

Good hand washing technique

Wet hands with warm water

Palm to palm with interlaced fingers

Rub hands palm to palm

Clean thumbs

Pat dry hands thoroughly using a disposable paper towel

Apply soap or skin cleanser from dispenser

Tips and backs of fingers to each palm

Rinse hands thoroughly

Palm over back of each hand

Clean wrists

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