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We welcome all readers' letters but reserve the right to edit them, and withhold names and addresses or both. Please keep to a maximum of 150 words. Write to The Editor (Letters), Nursing Standard, Nursing Standard House, 17-19 Peterborough Road, Harrow, Middlesex HAI 2AX. email: [email protected] Please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number
Hand washing is said to be the single most important activity healthcare workers can carry out to cut down cross-infection, and hence hospital-acquired infection, within the NHS.
For effective handwashing techniques, healthcare workers need hands and wrists that are free from rings, bracelets and watches. Most hospitals have handwashing policies that describe how to cleanse hands effectively and recommend jewellery is not worn.
You also need wrists to be free from clothing. All staff in the NHS, except medical staff, have uniforms that allow this.
It is well reported that medical staff fail to wash their hands at all, let alone effectively. Clothing with long sleeves precludes an adequate technique and compounds the problem.
The UK needs to look to Europe and other countries to see how they address 'medical' uniform and the Department of Health needs to encourage doctors to look at this themselves. A cultural change is needed.
Infection control nurses are often asked by nurses and other healthcare workers why hospital management does not reinforce handwashing and clothing requirements with medical staff.
The answer, in truth, is that management fails to tackle the problem because it would be an onerous task. This is the challenge. But the government needs to act nationally for it to happen.
Linda Wilding Bedford
Inspiring writing from a kindred spirit
I was very sorry to read that Professor Stephen Wright has received unpleasant correspondence (perspectives september 12) about his series of articles and I would like to redress the balance a little.
I have very much enjoyed...