UHS ARISE Nursing Newsletter March 2018

ARISE NEWSLETTER ISSUE 12 | MARCH 2018

HYGIENE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS INSIDE THIS ISSUE HEALTHCARE HYGIENE

ABOUT

SPREAD OF INFECTION

PERSONAL HYGIENE TIPS TO FOLLOW ADVISE FOR STAFF

INTRODUCTION As nurses we are all aware that maintaining personal hygiene is vitally necessary for more than one reason - social, health, personal, psychological or just as a way of life. Maintaining a good standard of hygiene helps keep infections, illnesses and bad odors at bay. It is an act of maintaining cleanliness and grooming of the external body.

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

Maintaining good personal hygiene consists of bathing, washing your hands, brushing teeth; and sporting clean and press clothing. In addition, it is also about making safe and hygienic decisions when we are around others. One of the most proof ways to safeguard ourselves and others from illness is through good personal hygiene.

The simple act of washing our hands regularly is an eective way to keep germs from spreading. It does not only enhance our overall appearance, the importance is directly related to prevention of diseases, infections, and unpleasant odors. Staying clean assists, us build relationships, stay healthy, and raises our self-esteem.

Practicing a hygienic lifestyle means washing and maintaining all parts of the body that aect appearance and smell with regular bathing, brushing teeth, and the washing of hair.

In healthcare, it is particularly important to stay clean and take care of our personal hygiene. After all, staying clean helps maintain a healthy environment for our patients. In fact, poor hygiene can result to the spread of diseases.

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

HOW DOES INFECTION SPREAD?

Most communicable diseases are caused by viruses and bacteria that spread easily through direct and indirect contact. Direct contact involves touching someone who is carrying the infection. Indirect contact is a result of coming into contact with objects or things that an infected person has touched or used.

These germs can be in the air from coughs and sneezes, on utensils, on doorknobs, personal items, telephones and other contaminated surfaces.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

Good personal hygiene is the most important way of reducing germs associated with the spread of infections. Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of any infection.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS OF CLEANING YOUR HAND A. Hand washing using the sink using antimicrobial soap and water (available in all washroom areas) B. Alcohol hand rub (hand sanitizers are available throughout the area especially in all rooms for visitors and staff).

How To HANDWASH?

WASH HANDS WHEN VISIBLY SOILED! OTHERWISE, USE HANDRUB DURATION OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS: 40-60 2

1

Wet Hands With Water 7

Rotational Rubbing of Left Thumb clasped in Right Palm and Vice Versa

SECONDS 5

3

4

Apply Enough Soap to Cover All Hand Surfaces

Rub Hands Palm to Palm

Right Palm Over Left Dorsum with Interlaced Fingers & Vice Versa

8

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Rotational Rubbing, Backwards and Forwards with Clasped Fingers of Right Hand In Left Palm & Vice Versa

Rinse Hands With Water

10

Use Elbow or Towel to Turn off

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

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Palm to Palm with Fingers Interlaced

Backs of Fingers to Opposing Palms with Fingers Interlocked

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12

Dry Hands Thoroughly with a Single Use Towel

Your Hands Are Now Safe

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

How To HANDRUB?

RUB HANDS FOR HAND HYGIENE! WASH HANDS WHEN VISIBLY SOILED DURATION OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS: 20-30 SECONDS 1

Apply a Palmful of the Product in a Cupped Hand, Covering All Surfaces

5

Backs of Fingers to Opposing Palms with Fingers Interlocked

2

Rub Hands Palm to Palm 6

Rotational Rubbing of Left Thumb Clasped in Right Palm and Vice Versa

Be Heart Healthy

3

4

Right Palm Over Left Dorsum With Interlaced Fingers and Vice Versa

7

Palm to Plam with Fingers Interlaced

8

Rotational Rubbing, Backwards and Forwards with Clasped Fingers of Right Hand in Left Palm and Vice Versa

Once Dry, Your Hands are Safe

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WASH OR RUB YOUR HANDS:

Before and after meals

After using the toilet or commode

After smoking, coughing, sneezing and after touching mouth, eyes, nose and ears

Before and after visiting the hospital

COUGH OR RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE: Cover your cough and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Discard your used tissue in the waste bin.

Wear a surgical mask to protect others.

Wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with alcohol-based and rub.

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

TIPS FOR OUR PERSONAL UPKEEP AS A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL: 1. Bath before every work shift Bathing before every work shift should be part of our basic personal hygiene routine. Bathing helps prepare us for a busy day at work where we need to be clean for our patients’ health.

2. Wash our hands Make sure to thoroughly wash our 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. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC, we should wash our hands with water and soap while rubbing. Remember to wash after each meal and when we come into contact with each patient. If we need to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, rub our hands until they are dry.

3. Clean our work outfit Our work uniform (usually scrubs) will get dirty on many occasions. Spills, bodily fluids, and other matter can get on our clothes when we are working with patients. When we get home from our shift, wash our clothes to kill germs and get rid of stains. Washing our clothes right away will help keep your home germ free.

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

5. Trim our nails Long nails can get in the way of working and they can quickly become unhealthy and so ensure your nails are trimmed and cleaned.

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

ADVISE FOR STAFF:

Report sickness which may pose a risk to patients and colleagues.

Must not go to clinical areas especially those with a rash.

Know what immunizations are available and whether you are up to date.

Discuss prevention tips with colleagues, patients, relatives and attendants.

Always remember that WE represent our healthcare facility so it is important to look our best. Taking care of ourselves can show our patients that we know how to care for others. Plus, staying hygienic will aid in the healthcare of our patients.

Please remember - If you feel good about yourself, you may also feel more conďŹ dent at your job!

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

Call: +971 6 505 8555 or Mail: info@uhs.ae

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ARISE Newsletter | March 2018

Don’t Forget

UHS Medical Times 1

Newsletter | March 2018

To Check UHS Medical Times For

March

This Edition of UHS - Medical Times focusses on Journey of a Woman to Motherhood.

There are various tests that need to be done during each stage of pregnancy.

JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD Childbearing is an amazing and fulfilling experience for expecting expecting moms and proud dads. Having a child is the fruit of love, the source of joy and happiness among parents and families. This wonderful experience comes with risk if, Pregnant women wouldn’t take good care of themselves and the baby in their womb. The World Health Organization has issued recommendations to improve quality of antenatal care in order to reduce the risk of stillbirths and pregnancy complications and give women a positive pregnancy experience. Adding to that, they also have mentioned that all women has the right to a positive childbirth experience that comprises of respect and dignity, a companion of choice, pain relief strategies and mobility in labor and birth position of choice.

Antenatal care is an opportunity for health providers to deliver care, support and provide information to pregnant women on topics pertaining to promoting a healthy lifestyle, providing family planning counselling and supporting women who may be experiencing intimate partner violence. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Complications and problems during pregnancy and childbirth will be detected and possibly eliminated with the proper management and treatment from skilled and experienced healthcare providers.

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This month’s issue thus provides information on the the precautionary measures taken during each stage, the complications that can occur and steps taken to have a smooth road to delivery.

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Contribute to ARISE Newsletter ARISE Nursing Newsletter is issued from the Nursing Department of University Hospital Sharjah. We will be happy to receive your valuable suggestions or address your queries related to the topics published in this edition of the Newsletter. Reach us on 06 505 8555 or send an email to info@uhs.ae.

ARISE Nursing Newsletter from University Hospital Sharjah

Call: +971 6 505 8555 or Mail: info@uhs.ae