Blog, Medical and healthcare
Hand gel “not sufficient” against norovirus – use soap and water
Aug
Handwashing focus at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
A norovirus outbreak was recently confirmed at the George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton – and dealt with efficiently as staff took decisive measures to ensure that its impact was minimised, according to a recent report on the Nuneaton News website.
The Adam Bede ward was closed to enable a full decontamination to take place and subsequently reopened.
The importance of soap and water – not gels
The Deputy Director of Nursing at George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Martina Morris, outlined in the article the steps taken and the priorities for the hospital community that enabled them to control the outbreak – and effective hand hygiene was deemed to be very important.
“Good hand hygiene is key to limiting the spread of these infections and it is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water as using just an anti-bacterial hand gel is not sufficient.”
The NHS choices website offers in its norovirus section offers the following advice when it comes to preventing the spread of the virus.
“Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels, as they do not kill the virus.”
Ward reopens after bug outbreak at Nuneaton hospital »
Hot water hand wash hire for UK medical situations
Introducing the TEAL Hygenius MediWash
On view at a number of forthcoming exhibitions will be TEAL’s market leading portable hand wash station – the Hygienius MediWash (pictured above), which enable healthcare professionals and patients to access a high quality hot water hand wash wherever and whenever it’s needed!
The MediWash will be released for sale and hire later in 2017.
The TEAL Task Force
TEAL Task Force staff provide a rapid deployment and installation service for class-leading portable hand washing stations to medical facilities.
Setup and training is provided for on-site staff as part of the service.