Hand washing stops spread of bugs

4th May 2013

Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of infections such as norovirus and flu, according to Scotland�s Chief Medical and Chief Nursing Officer.

Over this winter, there have been 35 deaths from flu and it is estimated that every year up to one quarter of the population may be affected by an episode of norovirus.

To coincide with Global Hand Hygiene Day today (5 May), Sir Harry Burns and Ros Moore are urging people to follow a few simple steps to help reduce the spread of bugs.

Recent statistics show that 95 per cent of NHS staff are complying with hand hygiene guidelines, and this has played a part in helping to reduce the number of healthcare associated infections in hospitals.

Latest figures show that rates of C diff in people over 65 have fallen by over 82 per cent since 2007, which means they are at their lowest levels since recording began, and MRSA has reduced by 79 per cent over the same period.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns is urging people to follow good hand hygiene practice to help reduce the spread of bugs in the community.

He said: �Good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of infection and there is no excuse for people not to wash their hands.

�By following a few simple precautions you can help to protect yourself and your family from bugs.

�We have seen a dramatic reduction in healthcare associated infections in hospitals, which also coincides with an increase in hand hygiene compliance rates, and shows that hand washing is playing an important role in reducing the spread of infection.

�It is particularly important when you are in hospital � whether you are a member of staff, visitor or patient � that you wash your hands properly to help prevent the spread of infection.�

Chief Nursing Office Ros Moore added: �Washing your hands with soap and warm water is the single most important thing you can do to help reduce the spread of infections and help protect you, your family and those around you.

�Parents should also encourage their children to wash their hands by showing them how to do it, to help ensure this becomes a lifelong habit.

�It takes at least fifteen seconds to wash your hands properly � try singing 'Happy Birthday� twice through as a rough guide for how long it should take.�

Hand washing should be part of everyone's daily routine especially:
� Before eating or handling food
� After using the toilet
� After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
� After touching animals or animal waste
� After handling rubbish
� After changing a nappy
� Before and after touching a sick or injured person
� Before and after visiting a hospital ward (remember alcohol-based hand rubs are also provided).