N17 staff celebrate hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is part of an infection prevention and control programme that supports surgery, prevents patient infection and reduces an avoidable burden on health systems.

Sister Anthonet Steyn, clinical facilitator at the hospital, says there are five moments when hand hygiene is of the utmost importance for healthcare professionals:

• Before touching a patient;

• After touching a patient;

• Before cleaning a wound or performing septic procedures;

• After body fluid exposure; and

• After touching patient surroundings.

“We apply hand hygiene every day,” says Steyn.