‘Washing of hands is an instant self-administered vaccine’

What is the importance of hand wash? How does it translate into better patient care?

Healthcare-associated infections are drawing more attention. This is not only because of the magnitude of the problem in terms of associated morbidity, mortality and cost of treatment but also due to the growing recognition that most of these are preventable.

The medical community is witnessing unprecedented advancements in understanding of pathophysiology of infectious diseases and the global spread of multi drug-resistant infections in healthcare set-ups. These factors have necessitated a relook into the role of basic practices of infection prevention in modern day health care.

There is now undisputed evidence that strict adherence to hand hygiene reduces the risk of cross-transmission of infections. With ‘Clean Care is Safer Care’ as the prime agenda of the global initiative by the WHO on patient safety programmes, it is time for developing countries to formulate much-needed policies for implementation of basic infection prevention practices.

A thorough disinfectant hand wash is necessary for everyone at all times and in all situations. Effective hand wash minimises the spread of potentially deadly germs. It also protects against secondary infections.

Every patient is at risk of infection while under treatment and healthcare providers are at a risk of infection while treating patients. Hand wash is, therefore, an instant self-administered vaccine. Preventing the spread of germs is especially important in hospitals and other facilities like dialysis centres, ICUs, OPDs and wards. Washing your hands properly is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent and control the spread of illnesses.

What is being done to improve the situation?

The best and most effective way to address the situation is awareness, education and action. The government has undertaken several initiatives towards this. With healthcare and public health partners, the government is raising awareness about hand hygiene in hospitals and in the community. Hand hygiene is practised by healthcare providers and encouraged among attendants and patients to prevent infection. We have a robust initiative which motivates people to wash their hands. As part of this initiative, they are advised to clean hands before eating, and before and after direct contact with a patient’s intact skin [taking a pulse or blood pressure, performing physical examinations, lifting the patient in bed, etc.]; after contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, or wound dressings, after contact with inanimate objects [including medical equipment] in the immediate vicinity of the patient; and after using the restroom.

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