Enter Nurse mode & The Importance of *proper handwashing

In light of the recent pandemic that’s occurred I decided I needed to share some of my knowledge on relevant information on here.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the big C virus.  While we are still getting information from the CDC at the hospital & working to unveil many unknowns (like the fact that the virus may be able to live on surfaces for up to 9 days), there are some things that remain constant & certain, in both the current situation & with all infectious diseases.

It seems SO simple, but handwashing remains the #1 form of prevention. NOT N95 masks. (This nytimes article about COVID19 & coronavirus also addressed this yesterday).

And not a quick 5 second rinse.

Proper hand hygiene is nursing school 101 & also everyday hygiene 101, but you’d be surprised: I would be willing to bet that 90% of common public does not perform proper handwashing. 

Yea, I said that.  

Masks are most effective for preventing spread from people who already have the disease, & general public buying up all of the masks limits what’s available for them + us healthcare workers.  They’re also futile without the annual fitting & training we get on proper use.

So without further ado here is my guide for proper handwashing:

-Sing “Row-row-row-your-boat” 2x or the “Happy Birthday” song 2x, while you LATHER.  This should last for 20 seconds, then rinse.  Effective handwashing should really be 30 seconds long. 

-(Turn on a timer & do your typical routine.  How long was that? Not 30, right?).

-Hand sanitizer up to 4x in a row only.  Then you have to wash your hands again.

-Wash with soap & water any time the hands are soiled; if you get anything on them hand sanitizer is not the answer.

-Dry them thoroughly. Wet hands transmit bacteria much faster than dry hands.

If you don’t do this, you’re spreading germs. Think about that. 

Think about your kids, the people you care about - and the food that gets prepped for you. 

Prevention instead of reaction.

*Additional reminders:

-Cover you mouth when you cough or sneeze with the SLEEVE of your arm, not your hands that are subsequently going to touch multiple public surfaces.

The amount of people who still don’t do this is extremely disturbing to me, the amount of people I see leaving bathrooms without washing their hands, and I can only imagine what else.
If you fail to practice proper hygiene & public etiquette in times such as now, you will especially get looks & stares if you’re THAT person.  

-If you have cough, fever, rash, or shortness of breath- go get checked & don’t wait. 

-Stay home and isolate yourself if you don’t feel well. 

So, there you have it.  The basics of hygiene. Handwashing is KEY. 

Share this because we need to EDUCATE & take care of each other. Now more than ever. 

Please leave any questions in the comments!