The ease with which infectious diseases can be picked up from other people makes them very hard to avoid. The risk of infectious diseases spreading increases dramatically at hospitals in particular. As a result, a comprehensive and watertight set of hygiene solutions is mandatory and must be adhered to at all times.
The nature and extent of the
hygiene solution is down to the individual or hospital concerned, but the important thing to remember is that having hygiene solutions or protocol is the best way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Hygiene solutions foster an environment conducive to recovery
Having a proper set of hygiene benchmarks and rules is a highly advisable and ethical course of action. A clean hospital room will foster a culture of recovery, not one of disease. Protocols need to be in place for both patients and staff in order to prevent the spread of disease. Without a proper policy regarding hygiene and cleanliness in a hospital, the spread of infectious diseases would increase exponentially.
Hand washing is the foundation of effective hygiene
Bacteria and viruses are mostly spread by human contact - especially unwashed hands. Others are airborne and enter the system through respiratory processes, while others are to be found in food and water.
Hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and the wearing of protective clothes should be the minimum requirements of a standard set of hygienic precautions. It is of paramount importance that hands are washed with either hot water and disinfectant soap or alcohol-based hand wash. All equipment used in cleaning processes, including the products required for hand washing, as well as the dustbins to dispose of towels after drying hands should always be purchased from a reputable company.
Hygiene solutions are not limited to hand washing
Here are some other hygiene solutions that can be implemented in hospitals and medical facilities:
- Do not share personal or grooming items in order to avoid the spread of germs or viruses.
- Germs can travel up to three feet - teach hospital staff to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
- Do not re-use tissues, dispose of them after use.
- Take precautions against infectious diseases spreading in areas where food is prepared.
- Protective gloves, hairnets, gowns and masks must be worn when patients are treated.
- Avoid close contact with people if you are infected and at risk of infecting others.
Poor quality cleaning spreads infectious diseases more than preventing it
Cleaning is one of the mostundamental hygiene measures and is especially pertinent in the hospital environment. The detection and eradication of germs and viruses not visible to the naked eye is the primary aim of
hospital cleaning. The removal of superficial dirt is also important and often executed in an incorrect or sloppy manner. Since cleaning is a mechanical process, much of its efficacy depends on the extent to which someone puts their back into it, so to speak.
Careless cleaning has a negative effect as it spreads the microorganisms and viruses over a greater area and increases their chances of infecting other objects. Colour coded systems (buckets, cloths, mops, etc.) ensure that cross-contamination does not occur and the spread of infectious diseases is to be avoided. Hospital rooms must be cleaned, disinfected and even fumigated at regular intervals so that the spread of infectious diseases is proactively reduced.
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