Infection prevention and control: Guideline for speech pathologists, Version 1,2020.

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Other Aspects of Hand Hygiene • Ensure appropriate hand care is undertaken as intact skin provides a natural barrier to infectious agents • Cover any cuts and abrasions on the hands with a waterproof dressing • Use moisturising hand cream to maintain good skin condition • Seek medical advice if any skin problems are present that impact on effective hand hygiene and hand care (e.g., lesions, irritation or dermatitis) • Keep fingernails short and clean • Do not wear artificial nails, nail adornments and/or nail polish • Avoid long sleeves, and if worn, sleeves should be rolled or pushed up above the elbow • Keep forearms and hands-free from jewellery–bare below the elbow–(e.g., wrist watches, bracelets, rings with stones or ridges) during clinical tasks - exception a plain ring/band that can easily move around the finger while performing hand hygiene • Do not wash or apply alcohol-based rub to gloves • Gloves are not considered a substitute for hand hygiene practice • Perform hand hygiene before handling clean linen, and after handling clothing and linen for laundering. Soap and Water • Most effective method of hand hygiene. • Follow the handwashing technique as outlined by the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) (see Figure 6) 34. • Water temperature is not as important as running water. • Soap (plain or antimicrobial) and running water (warm or cold) loosens, dilutes, and flushes dirt and infectious agents. • Dry hands thoroughly after washing with a clean towel. • Damp hands transfer up to 1000 times more infectious agents than dry hands. • Perform any time hands are visibly soiled. • Before handing food and/or eating. • After using the bathroom. • After exposure to potential spore-forming pathogens. Note: Spore-forming pathogens are a dormant  f orm of vegetative bacteria and are highly resistant to physical and chemical influences. Various diseases are linked to spore-forming pathogens, including food poisoning, food spoilage, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and gas gangrene. 35-37 Alcohol-Based Rub • Fast and effective way to remove infectious agents contracted from touching contaminated surfaces • Fast and effective on visibly clean hands • Follow the hand rubbing technique as outlined by WHO (see Figure 6) 34 • Ensure alcohol-based hand rub meets hospital-grade requirements and contains between 60% and 80% v/v ethanol or equivalent

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Infection Prevention and Control - Guideline for Speech Pathologists | Version 1, 2020