HSCS: 2.21, 4.11,
Hand hygiene is considered an important practice in reducing the transmission of infectious agents which cause infections[1]
Willow Den staff will ensure they adhere to Health Protection Scotland SBAR (situation, background, assessment and recommendation): Hygiene Requirements in Outdoor Nurseries in Scotland[2]. Staff will keep up to date on the latest government guidance on Covid-19 infection prevention.
Hand hygiene facilities will be made available including:
- Warm running water (from dedicated handwashing containers where there is no access to mains water);
- Liquid soap;
- Dedicated collection container for greywater;
- Waste bin for the collection of used hand towels.
Handwashing for children and adults should take place:
- After using the toilet/changing a nappy;
- Before and after eating, drinking or preparing food;
- After sneezing, nose blowing or coughing;
- If hands are soiled/dirty;
- After handling animals;
- Before going home;
- As specified in any other company policy, procedure or company checklist.
Water should be warm or tepid to optimize compliance with handwashing practices.
Where there is no access to running water, e.g. short term unforeseen circumstances, or visits to locations without running water, hand wipes may be used along with ABHR (Alcohol Based Hand Rub). Hands must be washed at the first available opportunity[3].
If using ABHR, application of sufficient volume of ABHR to cover all surfaces of the hands is important to ensure effective hand hygiene. Manufacturer’s instructions should be followed for the volume of ABHR required to provide adequate coverage for the hands. In the absence of manufacturers instructions, volumes of approximately 3ml are recommended to ensure full coverage. [4]
Staff will educate children in hand hygiene practices using appropriate resources and modeling good hand hygiene behaviour. Staff will support children with hand hygiene whilst encouraging them to be as independent as possible.
[1] National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 1 – Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) (scot.nhs.uk)
[2] https://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/1219/hygiene-requirements-in-outdoor-nurseries-in-scotland.pdf
[3] https://hub.careinspectorate.com/media/1219/hygiene-requirements-in-outdoor-nurseries-in-scotland.pdf
[4] National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Chapter 1 – Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) (scot.nhs.uk)
Handwashing procedures:
| 1 | One child at a time to wash their hands per sink/handwashing station with staff member supervising/assisting |
| 2 | Use warm or tepid water to wet hands |
| 3 | Use liquid soap |
| 4 | Rub hand together: palm to palm, backs of hands, in between fingers, palms of hands with tips of fingers, thumbs and wrists |
| 5 | Rinse with warm water until hands are free of soap bubbles (a communal bowl must never be used for handwashing) |
| 6 | Dry hands thoroughly using paper towels |
| 7 | Dispose of paper towels in bin |
| 8 | All visible cuts and abrasions to be covered with a water proof dressing |
