Hands on hygiene: it's child's play
Caring for children can bring moments of joy, amusement and inspiration. Looking after the minds and bodies of our greatest assets also carries significant responsibilities. So when it comes to the health and wellbeing of children in care there are simple hygiene practices that can prevent or reduce the spread of infection and safeguard the children and carers from common illness and disease.
It’s a hands-on business changing nappies, wiping runny noses and feeding the children in temporary care. So it’s hardly surprising that good hand hygiene practice in carers and children is the most important preventative measure when it comes to developing healthy habits.
If you thought you knew the basics of washing your hands then take a look at the National Health and Medical Research Council’s publication Staying Healthy in Child Care for detailed instruction that will ensure healthy hands, and a mantra that links washing and rinsing with the Happy Birthday song.
It’s also important to wear gloves for all contact with blood and body substances. Careful disposal and washing your hands after removing the gloves further reduces risk of spreading infection and disease.
Referred to by the experts as ‘respiratory hygiene’ carers are encouraged to teach children to cover their mouth or nose with a tissue when they sneeze or cough, or to cough or sneeze into their sleeve or elbow, not into their hands.
Of course there’s more to healthy childcare than hygienic hands including exclusion of sick children and staff, regular cleaning of the centre, equipment and toys, and maintenance of immunisation as recommended by health professionals.
Further information and expert advice is available on the department’s website or www.nhmrc.gov.au or through your Population Health Unit via Queensland Health 07 3234 0111
Table of contents | Lessons learned
Last updated 22 July 2008