When Hands Should be Decontaminated
When Should Hands be Decontaminated:
- After using the toilet or assisting someone else to use it
- After handling incontinence products
- After any contact with your own body fluids or those of another person e.g. urine, blood, ear wax, tears, saliva, excrement etc.
- Before, during and after handling any food or drink
- After handling raw meat or items which have had contact with raw meat
- Before and after performing any personal care tasks e.g. bathing, assisting to move, toileting
- After blowing or wiping your own or someone else’s nose or after putting the hand in front of your face when coughing/sneezing
- Before and after handling medicines
- After handling rubbish
- After removing gloves
- After coming into contact with any animal
- Before and after treating any cut or wound or changing dressings
- After coming into contact with someone with an infectious disease which can be transmitted from person to person by touch or via objects
- After handling items which have been contaminated by flood water or sewage
- After gardening, touching plants and handling pesticides or weed-killer (see poisoning below)
- When the hands look dirty
- After smoking
- After handling coins and banknotes
- When arriving at and leaving the workplace
- After handling chemicals e.g. cleaning fluids, leaking batteries, care maintenance
Use to answer question 15.1b of the Care Certificate