THE importance of washing your hands to avoid the spread of germs and illnesses was being highlighted by the Mid North Coast Local Health District in the lead-up to World Hand Hygiene Day on Monday 5 May.
While most people have excellent practices when it comes to hand hygiene, it is particularly important to remain vigilant at this time of year with the cold and flu season approaching.
Senior environmental health officer Kerryn Lawrence said that as winter draws closer, the number of people with colds also increases.
“Now is a good time to remind those around you to cover up when sneezing, coughing and nose blowing and, most importantly, remember to wash hands afterwards and put used tissues straight into the rubbish bin,” she said..
“It is especially important for young children and for those who are caring for someone at home who is ill or has a long term health condition to avoid the spread of diseases by regularly washing their hands.
“Many infections including pneumonia, colds, measles, influenza and norovirus are preventable through good hand hygiene: cleaning hands at the right times and in the right way. It is everyone’s responsibility to practice good hygiene to avoid spreading diseases.”
Hospitals across the Mid North Coast Local Health District join the World Hand Hygiene Program by conducting audits throughout the year to ensure staff are using appropriate hand hygiene, which is either washing and drying hands or using alcohol-based hand rubs.
In the most recent audit, all Mid North Coast Local Health District hospitals performed above the national benchmark for hand hygiene.
More information about effective hand hygiene practices can be found at: www.hha.org.au/UserFiles/file/Hand%20Hygiene%20Fact%20Sheet(4).pdf
