Personal Hygiene

• Hair tied back/covered

  to prevent any unwanted hairs from falling, for example, into food that you are preparing or on to a plate of food.

  Hair must also be regularly washed, brushed and kept clean to prevent infections such as head lice.
• Open wounds covered

  to prevent the risk of the spread of infection
• No jewellery

  to prevent the spread of infection. Rings and bracelets can be a source of infection as harmful pathogens (germs) may become trapped in these.
• No nail polish

  to prevent the spread of infection. Nail varnish may flake off while carrying out work activities and therefore can be a source of infection. Nail extensions and acrylic nails must also not be worn as

  they may fall off.

  Nails must also be kept free from dirt by being kept clean and short.
• Correct hand washing routine

  this involves using liquid soap and warm water, and washing hands for approximately 20 seconds to prevent the risk of infection

  spreading from your hands.
• When should you wash your hands?

  • Before and after touching raw meat and food
  • After visiting the toilet
  • After emptying rubbish bins
  • After exposure to cleaning materials
  • After dealing with soiled bedding or continence pads
  • Before and after undertaking clinical procedures
  • Before and after personal care – feeding/dressing
  • After coughing or sneezing
• Regular showering and hair washing

  to prevent infections on your skin/hair that could then spread to others.

  Showering/bathing every day and ensuring your body and hair are

  kept clean can also help to prevent infections.
• Regular brushing of teeth

  to prevent infections, such as halitosis, that can cause bad breath and be unpleasant when coming into contact with others.
• Appropriate use of tissues/antiseptic wipes/sanitiser

  to ensure harmful pathogens are destroyed. Using antiseptic

  wipes on items does not replace cleaning of items; using hand sanitiser does not replace hand washing.
• How personal hygiene measures protect service users?

  • correct handwashing routines can destroy germs and stop them from being transferred
  • the service user carries fewer germs, which reduces opportunity for spreading infection
  • barrier methods reduce and prevent the transfer of germs and spread of infection - eg wearing disposable gloves, apron or covering open wounds
  • not wearing jewerlly removes places for germs to be trapped