Explain How To Keep Good Hand Hygiene

'Prevention is better than the cure' - Desiderius Erasmus.

The risk of infection is all around us. As professionals we must follow certain guidelines to reduce the risk or cross contamination. We are under high risk of coming into contact with infections so preventions are in place to keep a safe environment for all staff and patients. All risks must be managed quickly to maintain the health of the patients and all who enter the veterinary practice.

Firstly, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is specialised clothing that should be worn at all appropriate times, these include gloves, gowns, aprons, hats, shoe covers, face shields, masks and goggles.

Gowns should be worn at all times within the practice to prevent contamination from personal

Failure to keep good hand hygiene increases risks of infection spreading and reduces the faith patients owners have in you. You must wash your hands before and after every animal you make contact with, eating and drinking, cleaning, wearing gloves, after coughing or sneezing and, of course, after using the toilet!

To wash effectively remove all arm jewellery and keep finger nails short and varnish free. Use antiseptic soap and wash thoroughly for 20 seconds washing front and back of hands, fingers, and of course thumbs. Rinse off completely and dry using disposable paper towels. If possible, turn off the tap with your elbow or use a paper towel as a barrier.

Finally, our waste is regulated by the Environment Agency. It is every staff members responsibility to ensure that waste is stored correctly (appropriate containers) and disposed of by someone authorised to do so. Records must kept up to date and completed with all waste that is transferred or received.

Pharmaceuticals must be disposed of in the blue containers.

Offensive waste (animal bedding, faeces etc.) go in yellow bags with a black stripe.

Animal bodies not suspected of harbouring diseases must be kept in a chest freezer until