Myth or Fact?
“As long as you wash your hands, you will not get sick as easily”
True, but: Hand washing and hand hygiene is only as efficient as its timing. You have to choose the right timing for hand washing to avoid getting sick. We recommend: before and after contact with the mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes), before and after patient contact, before and after food contact, and after the hands have become dirty, for example after using the bathroom. Another good habit is to wash hands after coughing and sneezing, which is mainly for the protection of others.
Myth or fact?
“Washing hands without soap is as effective as washing with soap”
False: Ordinary soap has no effect on micro-organisms, but soap does help to dissolve dirt and other substances more easily from the skin. The physical effect of soap can be enhanced by increasing the friction and using warm water. (Note: too much friction and too hot water increases the risk of irritated skin and skin damage. Read more about best practice for hand hygiene)
Myth or fact?
“It is not hygienic to use the hand-dryer in the bathroom to dry your hands”
True: When you use a dryer, microorganisms on the hands and the dryer are also blown in the immediate surroundings. If others touch the inside of the blower with dirty hands, clean hands can become contaminated again. Paper towels are a more hygienic option.
Myth or fact?
“You have to wash your hands for at least 60 seconds”
True, but: Fixed times are used in standardized test methods to show effectiveness, but in practice people only wash and rub their hands about 10-20 seconds. While 60 seconds is generally recommended, studies show washing for 60 seconds is more effective than 30 seconds, but 10 seconds is also more effective than 5 seconds.
So: try to aim for 60 seconds, perhaps by humming the chorus of your favorite song from beginning to end twice.
First aid for infection prevention
At Abena we help health care professionals prevent the spread of infections. We do this by sharing our knowledge with health care professionals. We help you to be alert to the transmission of pathogens, to take the right measures and to use the right products. This way you minimize the risk of contamination.
Myth or fact?
“Drying the hands is just as important as washing them”
Yes: Drying the hands is important to avoid irritated and dry skin, which increases the risk of cracks and infections. In addition, microbes can be more easily transferred to and from wet hands.
Preferably, use a paper towel without applying too much friction. This is more hygienic than a cotton towel or dryer.
Myth or fact?
“A block of soap works better than a soap dispenser”
False but: Liquid soap from a dispenser has the advantage of not being contaminated with micro-organisms left behind by others. Microorganisms can survive on and in soap. In addition, liquid soap is more gentle on the hands, decreasing the risk of irritated skin.
Myth or fact?
“There are more bacteria on an average keyboard than on a toilet seat”
True, but: Although many studies have been done, they have little meaning and should be taken with a grain of salt. These studies often do not look at the type of micro-organisms and the time of breeding. Therefore, these types of comparisons are of little relevance. Everything in our environment contains microorganisms, including people: humans carry more microorganisms than human cells.
Myth or fact?
“You can prevent bacteria by avoiding hand rails in the train or subway”
True, but the effect is minimal. Bacteria and microorganisms are present almost everywhere and sticks to almost everything. There is also a risk of contamination from airborne droplets and subsequent contact with the mucous membranes. So, just use the handrails and wash and disinfect your hands as soon as possible afterward.
Learn more about personal hygiene
Nothing can replace proper personal hygiene, but gloves and protective wear are essential aids in protecting yourself in the workplace
Wear the correct gloves for all care procedures and change the gloves when they are visibly dirty and whenever leaving the patient or residents room. Read more.
Use approved protective wear to protect the patient and the caregiver. Make sure you have the right products at your disposal – and you know when to use them. Read more.
