Mc Cord gets ready for hand wash relay (VIDEO)

MC CORD Hospital staff eagerly celebrated World Hand Hygiene Day with a “relay” hand washing awareness campaign this morning.

According to Sr Nikitah Goldstone, acting infection control co-ordinator at Mc Cord Hospital, 5 May is the World Health Organisation’s World Hand Hygiene Day, the annual call to action for health care workers around the world to participate in.

Goldstone said the provincial Department of Health asked hospitals to participate in this “relay”. “All health care workers stand in a line around the hospital and pass the alcohol hand-rub as a “baton” to the next health care practitioner by demonstrating hand washing techniques,” she explained.

Hand washing is extremely important Goldstone said because “it is the fundamental principal of infection prevention.”

“When correctly practised by health care workers, its a cost effective intervention that saves lives. With community members we also encourage them to practice hand hygiene or hand washing at home, schools and in the workplace, especially with the flu season upon us,” she said.

Goldstone said effective hand washing was not just putting your hands under at tap and effective hand washing could help prevent the spread of colds and flu. She encouraged the community to speak up for their health and advised them not to be afraid to ask nurses to wash their hands before touching them.

* For hand washing to be effective, you can’t use water alone but must use soap.

* Wash hands before eating, feeding babies, playing with or feeding pets, preparing food and after visits to the bathroom.