Council promotes the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Hand Hygiene Day

Each year, the Save Lives: Clean Your Hands campaign aims to maintain and promote the importance of good hand hygiene. The Social Care and Health Protection Team in collaboration with the Hywel Dda University Health Board, is raising awareness and promoting the WHO’s Hand Hygiene Day.

 

The Team has visited each of the Local Authority Care Homes and participated in a variety of activities with the staff and residents during the week leading to May 5, 2024.

 

The activities being held during the week complement the Social Care and Health Protection Team’s ongoing Infection Prevention education and training programme which contributes to the Council’s commitment to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

 

Officers from the Social Care and Health Protection Team have been stationed at each of the HWBs in Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford with informative displays and engaging with the public to raise awareness within the community of the importance of good hand hygiene to prevent the risk of infection.

 

Each of the Local Authority Homes have participated in a display board competition during the week to raise awareness and promote this initiative amongst residents, care staff and visitors. Chris Thomas & Son Fruit & Vegetables Wholesalers Abergwili, Carmarthen and Lyreco have kindly donated a hamper each to award the winner for their contribution to the WHO’s Hand Hygiene Day.

 

In line with this year's theme, "Promoting knowledge and capacity building of health and care workers through innovative and impactful training and education, on infection prevention and control, including hand hygiene," our efforts are focused on empowering healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to reduce the spread of infections.

 

Hand hygiene remains the single most effective method to prevent the transmission of infections.

 

Four tips to help you wash your hands correctly: 

 

• Use soap to wash your hands but if there is no soap and water available use the hand sanitiser. 

• Wash your hands for the full 20-30 seconds remembering to clean every part of your hands.
• Dry your hands thoroughly as dry hands spread far fewer microorganisms than wet ones.
• Try not to touch your face – it is much harder than it sounds – if you do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth you are much less likely to get an infection.