My clinical placement occurred in the last semester within a Renal Ward at one general hospital. I have noticed that clinical governance …show more content…
This is a safe practice because hands could be the agents that could transmit infections in the healthcare setting (Daniels, 2012). According to Daniels (2012) health care workers have high risk rates to spread infections as they contact patients and their environment during working time. According to Warren-Gash, Fragaszy and Hayward (2015) hand hygiene is highly recommended by health agencies to prevent infection transmission. There are many types of organisms which may be present on the skin of patients (Ampofo, 2013). Ampofo (2013) describes that there is an important overlooked link in the chain of infection which is that pathogenic micro-organisms can also be spread by direct or indirect contact via patients’ hands. Because some patients who are being treated for healthcare associated infections such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and clostridium difficile, may easily spread pathogenic micro-organisms to affect other’s health (Ampofo, 2013). Therefore, it is important that to adhere hand hygiene to avoid healthcare associated infecitons (Bail, Cook, Gardner & Grealish, …show more content…
The “Five moments of hand hygiene” is World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on hand hygiene in health care, it outlines the specific hand hygiene practices required to minimise the risk of patients, visitors and staff acquiring a healthcare associated infection (World Health Organization, 2013). Hand hygiene is recommended at five specific moments to prevent cross-transmission of contamination, reducing risk of healthcare associated infection (Dawson & Mackrill, 2014). The 5 moments are: (1) before touching the patient (includes touching the patient’s surroundings); (2) before performing an aseptic procedure; (3) after a body fluid exposure risk; (4) after touching the patient; and (5) after touching the patient’s surrounding (World Health Organization, 2013). According to Akpaka (2014) it is very important that there is adherence to hand hygiene policies among health care workers, patients and their relatives, who are in health