Promoting Hand Hygiene in Healthcare - An E-learning Module

This Hand Hygiene learning package has been adapted by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) from the hand hygiene unit within their programme of education to support the introduction of Cleanliness Champions within NHSScotland. The Cleanliness Champion programme was commissioned by the Scottish Executive and is part of its Action Plan to reduce the risk of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) to patients, staff and visitors (Scottish Executive 2002).

The hand hygiene package is intended to promote hand hygiene in healthcare workers and can be accessed free of charge. It will complement the work already being undertaken by infection control teams within NHSScotland and can be used on its own or in conjunction with other training initiatives.

Who is it for?

This learning package is aimed at promoting hand hygiene for all healthcare workers and can be used:

  • As a training resource within organisations providing healthcare.
  • As an educational tool for Higher/Further Education Institutions in undergraduate programmes.
  • By any healthcare worker wishing to update, refresh or challenge personal hand hygiene knowledge and practice.
  • Carers in the community, social services, voluntary and independent agencies.

Content

The package is designed to be self-directed and web based. There is, however, an option to print off the learning materials. It is in three parts:

  • Part 1 The Importance of Hand Hygiene
  • Part 2 Methods of Hand Decontamination and Hand Decontamination Technique
  • Part 3 Hand Hygiene Non-compliance Issues and Action Plan

The materials comprise text, web links to relevant sites and some workplace activities to help the user apply the knowledge to their own area of practice.

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