Five tips to wash your hands correctly

We all know that hospitals are full of germs and disease, but it turns out that many people who work there may not be helping fend of germs.

A hand hygiene report released today has found that five district health boards across the country are not doing enough to keep clean.

Cleaners and meal workers are some of the worst offenders - they are only sanitising their hands around two-thirds of the times they are meant to.

Emergency departments faired a bit better, but the report found that 20 percent of the time they too failed to clean their hands correctly.

It might be easy to criticise these workers - but how would you go in the test?

As it turns out, washing your hands properly may not be as easy as you think.

Microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles has five tips to help you wash your hands better.

1 - Sing Happy Birthday

"You need to wash your hands for about 20 seconds, which is singing Happy Birthday twice through," says Dr Wiles.

You should wash them even longer "if you've done something really grubby like changed a really horrible nappy," she says. 

2 - Get in the nooks

"You really want to get between your fingers, under your nails, around your wrists - and we don't do that very well," says Dr Wiles.  

3 - Don't reply on the pump

Although hand sanitisers are good for hospitals or when you are out and about, they only wash superficial areas, they don't get rid of all the grime.

"If you have the option, water and soap are much better."

4 - Don't shake your hands to dry them

Drying your hands is a major part of the washing process and shouldn't be overlooked, says Dr Wiles. 

"Wet hands pick up germs more easily than dry hands". That means if the hand dryer in the public bathroom doesn't do a good enough job, make sure to find some way to dry them properly - even if that means rubbing them on your pants or shirt.

5 - Strike a happy balance

Although washing your hands is important, you don't need to go overboard.

"If you overwash you end up damaging your skin, and that can lead to places where bacteria can get in," says Dr Wiles.

The most important times to wash are: before eating or preparing food, when you are changing nappies, handling animals or children, and after going to the toilet.

Newshub.

 

Contact Newshub with your story tips:
news@newshub.co.nz