BMJ highlights poor paramedic hand hygiene compliance

Ambulance staff study undertaken across 4 countries

The British Medical Journal has expressed concerns about “remarkably low” levels of hand hygiene in a study of paramedics and other ambulance staff which took place across four countries, according to a recent report on the Medical Xpress website.

The study, published in the Emergency Medicine Journal, highlighted an over reliance on the use of gloves.

Past researchers have paid comparatively “little attention to hygiene issues in emergency care” says the article – choosing to focus on preparations for disaster management.

WHO guidance

Compliance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines Five moments for hand hygiene was used as the basis for the assessment in Finland, Denmark, Australia and Sweden, says the report.

“It is important to note that [hand hygiene] is about preventing the spread of microbes and thus protecting the patient.”

Hand hygiene compliance among paramedics ‘remarkably low’ »

Effective hand washing – for all paramedics on the move

Hand washing saves lives! And the TEAL range of automotive units enables any mobile paramedics or healthcare workers to be able to enjoy a hot water hand wash wherever it’s needed!

Easy to fit and maintain, they are available with 12v or 24v power supply.

The TEAL range of mobile sinks includes:-

• The TEALwash for motor vehicles »
• The Handeman Xtra for motor vehicles »
• The Compact Classic for motor vehicles »

Portable hand wash units for ambulances and other motor vehicles »

Photographs show the TealWash portable hand wash units in ambulance vehicle conversions, courtesy of Advanced Vehicle Engineering, in Cape Town, South Africa.