MEDICAL REASONS for HOT WATER HAND WASHING.

With the possibility of Flu Pandemics and the virulant Norrovirus getting a great deal of publicity, Hygenically Clean Hands are becoming a nessessity in every kind of healthcare situation.

Hot water hand washing is a vital and intrinsic part in the fight to reduce all types of cross infection.
1) 8% of patients acquire an infection during their stay in hospital.
2) Hand washing is the single most important measure for preventing the transmission of infection.
3) A single infection costs £3,000 to treat and results in a patient spending 3 times longer in hospital (Plowman et al 1999).
4) Healthcare workers fail to wash their hands due to the fact of facilities not being quickly accessible and lack of water instantly at the the correct temperature!

Soap and hot water washing
1) Hands that are visibly dirty must be washed first in hot water with liquid soap.
2) Hand decontamination by careful washing with soap and hot water, will remove transient micro-organisms.
3) Rinsing ensures that these organisms are properly disposed of.

Recently the British Medical Association issued recommendations in Healthcare Associated Infections - aguide for healthcare professionals which states that;-

Effective hand hygiene is the single most important intervention in infection control and hot water and liquid soap play an important role.

For further information, visit the BMA web site.

Alcohol Rubs. These are a useful adjunct but only suitable for hands that are NOT dirty. Although they are very active against a wide range of Micro-organisims, their continual use will lead to the uncomfortable build up of emollients on the skin which will need to be washed off after two or three applications.
Note that certain so called 'Super Bugs' ie. Clostridium Difficle, Norrovirus are NOT affected by Alcohol Rubs. 
Liquid SOAPS used with hot water are effective agianst ALL trasient micro-organisms and are higly suitable for most clinical activities.

This information has been condensed from the 'Hand Decontamination Guidelines' published by the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA). The Infection Prevention Society web site includes all information about the ICNA.

For information on the effectiveness of a ten second hot wash with soap in getting rid of bacteria see the University of North Carolina web site.

For solutions and product information see the Cascade Classic CC230.

Clinical waste vehicles
To meet the responsibility of the health and welfare of the crew on these vehicles, solve the hand hygiene problem with a TEALwash TW12 or TW24. The HANDEMAN HM 12 and HM 24 are the best solutions where space is at a premium.

The Award Winning Hygienius HG230/3 illustrated.