Hand Hygiene



Hand Hygiene is recognised as the single most important activity of an effective Infection Prevention and Control Program. Effective hand hygiene programs have shown to significantly reduce Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). Whiteley Medical offers a complete range of hand hygiene products which are manufactured in Australia to International standards. Whiteley Medical understands the importance of hand hygiene practices in healthcare, public and home environments and has developed a range of educational material relating to these specific areas.

Importance of Hand Hygiene 

Increased global mobility and the evolution of resistant pathogens have presented healthcare with global challenges. Despite historical identification that hand disinfection reduced infection and patient mortality, many factors have contributed to poor hand hygiene compliance amongst healthcare workers. Poor understanding of how hands become contaminated and the importance of hand hygiene in reducing the spread of infection, the lack of correct hand hygiene techniques, understaffing and patient over-crowding, limited access to hand washing facilities, skin irritation associated with the over use of soap and water, and the absence of enforcement by management have all contributed to poor hand hygiene.



Whiteley Medical offer training and support material for effective Hand Hygiene practices using Waterless hand cleansers and alcohol based hand rubs.



5 Moments of Hand Hygiene

* Five Moments of Hand Hygiene - WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare

 Education and Training

The use of alcohol-based hand rubs such as Bactol is viewed as essential to improving attitudes and compliance to hand hygiene in healthcare. A multi-faceted education program provides Infection Prevention staff the tools which will allow successful introduction and implementation of an alcohol-based hand gel. Hand hygiene is the corner-stone of an effective infection prevention program within healthcare facilities globally. Comprehensive infection control and prevention focus should also be given to environmental controls to prevent contamination and colonisation by micro-organisms. The role of surface cleaners and hospital grade disinfectants such as Viraclean, is imperative alongside hand hygiene in eliminating contamination of equipment and surfaces that act as breeding grounds for infection. Thorough cleaning or disinfection of surfaces and good hand hygiene, particularly in and around high contact areas, will help prevent the transmission of potentially harmful organisms.



Whiteley Medical is committed to Infection Prevention and providing education & support through our comprehensive Bactol hand hygiene programs. As a part of this commitment we created a range of materials to aid in the promotion of hand hygiene. Register your interest for hand hygiene material through our Education section or Email us.