Blog, Medical and healthcare
Handwashing advocated to help prevent the “hidden pandemic”
Nov
There are growing fears regarding antibiotic-resistant infections
The number of registered drug resistant infections actually fell last year for the first time in quite a while. The reason for this is the reduced level of social interaction and an improvement in hand washing techniques and frequencies during the ongoing pandemic. This short term dip does however seem to be a one off, as numbers still remain higher than the level reached six years ago, according to a recent report on the Metro website.
“Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria no longer respond to treatment, causing serious complications” according to the article’s author Sabrina Johnson.
Fewer prescriptions – more hand washing
Effective antibiotics are deemed essential during chemotherapy sessions and to tackle bacterial infections which can cause meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia says Johnson. But over-prescribing them for cold-like symptoms when they are not needed is fuelling dangerous levels of antibiotic resistance.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reportedly advised that “prescribing by GPs has dropped in recent years” in response to this.
UKHSA chief medical advisor Dr Susan Hopkins is said to have acknowledged that Covid-19 restrictions over the last year (which included stringent infection prevention measures) have helped improve the situation, with fewer prescriptions being written and fewer illnesses. She nonetheless warns that ongoing hand hygiene, correctly undertaken, will be essential in order to keep the “hidden pandemic” under control.
“While these measures were severe, serious antibiotic-resistant infections will rise once again if we don’t act responsibly and that can be as simple as regular and thorough handwashing.”
Experts warn of antibiotic-resistant infection ‘crisis’ after Covid »
Soap and water hand washing – wherever it can be most effective!
Teal produces a comprehensive range of mobile sinks and portable basins for every type of hand washing situation for use by anyone who needs to wash their hands effectively, whether they’re in an office environment, temporary accommodation or out in the field on a daily basis.
Shown above: The Teal MediWash, which features a handwashing technique instruction video display (top of the page) and the new CliniWash. Both mobile handwash units have a timed hand hygiene program, ensuring that hands are washed for the appropriate period.
The range of mobile handwash units for medical facilities »
The Teal range of mobile sinks includes the MediWash, Hygienius and Hygienius ProWash, BigSynk, Super Stallette, TEALwash, Handeman Xtra, Compact Classic, HandSpa, CliniWash – and now the new WashStand Xtra.