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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Hand Washing Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure effective hand hygiene practices at {{org_field_name}}, reducing the risk of infection transmission and ensuring the health and safety of people we support, staff, and visitors. Effective hand hygiene is one of the most important measures in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and ensuring high standards of care. This policy aligns with Care Inspectorate Scotland regulations, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) guidance, and the World Health Organization (WHO) hand hygiene standards to ensure compliance with best infection prevention practices.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, agency staff, volunteers, and external visitors at {{org_field_name}}. It ensures that hand hygiene is practiced consistently and correctly by all individuals providing or receiving care. It covers:

• When and how to wash hands effectively, ensuring proper techniques are followed.
• Use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, including when and how they should be used.
• Hand hygiene compliance monitoring, ensuring best practices are consistently applied.
• Training and competency requirements, guaranteeing that staff remain up to date with the latest hygiene protocols.
• Roles and responsibilities in promoting hand hygiene, ensuring both management and staff adhere to high infection control standards.

3. Related Policies

This policy is designed to be implemented alongside the following:

• Infection Prevention and Control Policy, ensuring an integrated approach to reducing infections.
• Health and Safety Policy, maintaining a safe environment for people we support and staff.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy, supporting safe and hygienic use of protective equipment.
• Medication Management Policy, ensuring hygiene when handling medications.
• Food Safety and Hygiene Policy, maintaining high standards in food handling areas.
• Risk Assessment and Management Policy, identifying and mitigating hygiene-related risks.

4. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

{{org_field_name}} ensures compliance with the following legal and regulatory frameworks to promote best practices in hand hygiene:

• Care Inspectorate Scotland’s Infection Prevention Guidelines, establishing high infection control standards.
• Health Protection Scotland (HPS) Hand Hygiene Standards, outlining best practices to reduce infection risks.
• The Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008, supporting infection control and public health measures.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring a safe working environment through hygiene policies.
• The Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006, requiring strict hand hygiene in food handling areas.

5. When to Wash Hands

Hand washing is mandatory in the following situations to minimise the risk of infection transmission:

• Before and after providing personal care to people we support.
• Before and after handling food or medications, ensuring safety in food preparation and medicine administration.
• After using the toilet or assisting someone with toileting, preventing cross-contamination.
• After sneezing, coughing, or blowing the nose, to limit the spread of airborne viruses.
• After touching waste, soiled laundry, or cleaning products, to prevent exposure to contaminants.
• Before and after wearing gloves or PPE, preventing contamination before and after use.
• After handling pets or animals, reducing the risk of zoonotic infections.
• After contact with visibly contaminated surfaces or objects, ensuring cleanliness.
• Before and after entering a care setting or person’s home, promoting infection control in home care environments.

6. Proper Hand Washing Technique

6.1. Steps for Effective Hand Washing

Staff must follow the WHO’s six-step hand washing technique, using liquid soap and warm running water:

1. Wet hands under running water.
2. Apply soap and rub palms together for at least 20 seconds.
3. Rub back of hands and between fingers to remove contaminants.
4. Scrub fingertips, thumbs, and wrists, as these areas often harbour bacteria.
5. Rinse hands thoroughly under running water, ensuring all soap is removed.
6. Dry hands completely using a disposable towel, using it to turn off the tap.

6.2. Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitiser

When soap and water are unavailable, an alcohol-based hand rub (minimum 60% alcohol) can be used. Hand sanitiser is effective except when hands are visibly soiled or contaminated with bodily fluids.

• Apply enough sanitiser to cover all hand surfaces, ensuring thorough application.
• Rub hands together until completely dry (approximately 20 seconds), ensuring the alcohol has evaporated.
• Do not rinse or wipe hands after using sanitiser, as this reduces its effectiveness.

7. Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring

To ensure high standards of compliance, {{org_field_name}} will:

• Conduct regular audits of staff hand hygiene practices.
• Monitor staff adherence to proper hand washing techniques during care delivery.
• Provide feedback and refresher training where needed.
• Ensure hand washing facilities are well-stocked with liquid soap, disposable towels, and alcohol-based sanitisers.

8. Training and Competency Requirements

All staff at {{org_field_name}} must complete:

• Hand hygiene training as part of their induction, ensuring new staff understand hygiene expectations.
• Annual refresher training, reinforcing best practices and compliance.
• Practical assessments, ensuring competency in hand washing techniques.
• Infection control updates, particularly in response to outbreaks or new regulations.

9. Roles and Responsibilities

9.1. Staff Responsibilities

All staff must:

• Follow proper hand hygiene protocols at all times.
• Encourage people we support to practice good hand hygiene, educating them where necessary.
• Report any issues with soap dispensers, sinks, or sanitisers, ensuring prompt resolution.
• Actively participate in training and refresher sessions, keeping skills up to date.

9.2. Management Responsibilities

Management at {{org_field_name}} is responsible for:

• Ensuring adequate hand hygiene facilities are available in all care settings.
• Conducting regular compliance audits to maintain infection control standards.
• Providing ongoing staff training and competency assessments to reinforce good hygiene practices.
• Reviewing and updating hand hygiene procedures as needed to comply with new regulations.

10. Preventing Hand Hygiene-Related Skin Conditions

Frequent hand washing can lead to skin dryness and irritation. To prevent this:

• Use moisturising hand creams regularly to prevent cracking.
• Avoid hot water—use warm water instead to reduce skin irritation.
• Report skin conditions (e.g., dermatitis) to management for assessment.
• Wear gloves only when necessary, not as a substitute for hand washing.

11. Incident Reporting and Non-Compliance

Staff failing to follow hand hygiene protocols may be subject to corrective action or retraining. Any infections or outbreaks linked to poor hand hygiene must be reported under the Infection Prevention and Control Policy. Complaints regarding hygiene standards can be raised through the Whistleblowing or Complaints Policy.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if required due to legislative updates, infection control guidance, or feedback from staff and stakeholders. Any amendments will be communicated to all employees.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.