Keep your hands clean
The N17 proudly proved to its staff and the community that they adhere to the principles of World Hand Hygiene Day.
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The day was observed on Monday and this year’s campaign was called “Save lives: Clean your Hands”.
It was a mass hand hygiene event in the wards of the N17, in which doctors, nursing staff and willing patients participated.
N17 Hospital’s infection control coordinator sister Annelie Schutte says they used the opportunity to educate members of the public who were visiting the hospital.
She claims it is of vital importance that nursing staff practise sound hand hygiene while working with patients to help prevent the spread of disease-causing viruses and bacteria.
Cathrine Roux was at the hospital with her son Nathan Roux (9), who was awaiting tonsil surgery, when hospital spokesman Leana Haywood offered to spray her hands with disinfectant.
She believes in hand hygiene.
Netcare’s director of quality leadership Dr Dena van den Bergh says hand hygiene is a basic tenet of safe healthcare.
The day provided a good opportunity to help spread the vital message to the public, and for staff members at the N17 to show their commitment to good hand hygiene practices at all times when caring for patients.
Van den Bergh says the disinfection of hands is critical in a healthcare setting, and forms part of the basic protocol for staff and their complacency when it comes to this aspect of healthcare.
