Hospitals need to step up hygiene measures as winter draws closer, increasing access to handwashing facilities, experts are warning.
As the weather turns cooler; it is more important than ever to familiarise staff, patients and visitors with the NHS’s seven, simple, handwashing steps to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses.
Manty Stanley, managing director at TEAL Patents, explains: “Noses carry millions of bacteria, but many are unaware that up to 50% of all people carry the potentially-harmful staphylococcus bacteria, which makes sneezing and the blowing of noses one of the easiest ways for germs to run rife.
“The best preventative measure to combat illnesses – from the common cold to norovirus – is proper handwashing.
“As it’s the season to sneeze; it is vital that everyone, staff, patients and visitors alike, knows the dangers of not thoroughly washing their hands after sneezing or blowing the nose.
“Medical organisations must take the initiative and give people better access to washing facilities this winter.”
TEAL Patents has worked alongside NHS hospitals for 15 years to design a range of infection prevention products, including the newest model, the Hygienius MediWash.
This has been designed in conjunction with NHS infection control professionals and features a synchronised video display which takes users through the seven hand-rubbing actions as specified by NHS guidelines.
Touch-free and fully automatic, it has no levers or taps to re-infect hands and has a simple hygiene cycle using 500ppm chlorine every 24 hours.
