Top 5 infection control myths

Maintaining high standards of infection control in healthcare is vital. But with so much information being shared, do you know what actions are keeping your staff, residents and patients safe or putting them at risk?

To ensure your facility remains a safe environment for everyone, we wanted to share the 5 top infection control myths and the facts you need to know:

MYTH: You don’t need to wash your hands if you wear gloves. 

FACT: Gloves do not replace hand hygiene. They are simply another layer of protection. 

Gloves can have defects, and hands can be contaminated during the removal process. Therefore, it’s important to always continue to wash hands thoroughly when using gloves. 

MYTH: Hand sanitiser can replace handwashing.

FACT: Hand sanitiser does not kill all bacteria. Whilst convenient hand Sanitisers have their limits, as they cannot remove dirt/oil and are ineffective against pathogens like c.diff and norovirus. Soap and water, along with the correct hand washing technique, remain the superior way to fight infections. 

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MYTH: Cold weather kills germs.

FACT: Many people believe that cold weather kills germs; this is not the case for all pathogens, like Norovirus, as this can survive cold temperatures. This is why many stomach bugs and respiratory infections peak during the winter months and why it’s important to Wash, Wash, Wash!

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MYTH: Most infections are airborne.

FACT: While some infections are airborne, approximately 80% are actually spread by touch. This includes direct contact with a patient or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces like bed rails and door handles.

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MYTH: You don’t need to wash your hands between different tasks on the same resident.

FACT: It’s often mistaken that because it’s the patient’s/resident’s own bacteria that it won’t hurt them. However, handwashing doesn’t take place, bacteria from an infected area, like a wound, can be moved to a clean area like the mouth or catheter and cause further issues. Therefore, healthcare workers should always wash their hands after each activity on the same patient/resident.

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If you need help with infection control or ensuring your sluice room is compliant, contact our team of experts today on 01689 806 500 or sales@stanbridge.co.uk