Program Manual - Saint Louis University

iii. Personal Hygiene
A. Hand Washing: Hands are washed before each patient contact, after each patient
contact, before each procedure, after each procedure, before eating, after use of the
bathroom, before putting on gloves, and after removing gloves. Friction is the most
important part of washing hands. Jewelry should not be worn except for plain
wedding bands. Bacteria can lodge in the sets or stones of rings. Fingernails should
be kept short and clean. Contamination of the uniform by leaning against the sink is
to be avoided. Hands should not touch the sink during or after the washing process.
Equipment needed: approved liquid soap, running water, paper towels, and plasticlined
wastebasket.
Procedure:
� Moisten hands well with running water.
� Soap hands working up a lather using friction.
� Wash the palm and back of each hand with rotary motion.
� Wash fingers by interlacing fingers/thumbs and rotating back and forth.
� Washing action should be a minimum of fifteen seconds.
� Rinse well. Hold fingers down so water flows from wrist to fingers.
� Dry hands gently with paper towel to avoid chapping.
� Turn off faucets with a clean dry paper towel.
� Dispose of towels in wastebasket.
B. Eating/Drinking: Eating and drinking are prohibited in patient care areas where
diagnosis, treatment, and handling of blood or body fluids occur.
C. Contact Lenses: Contact lenses are not to be manipulated in areas where contact
with blood or body fluids may occur.
D. Makeup: Makeup and lip balm are not to be applied in areas where contact with
blood or body fluids may occur.
E. Food: Food is stored in refrigerators designed for this purpose only. These are
cleaned on a regular basis. Any food stuffs to be discarded are to be bagged first to
prevent insect/rodent problems. The refrigerator temperature is to be maintained at
less than 40 degrees F. No food is to be stored in medication refrigerators. No
medication is to be stores in food refrigerators.
F. Microware Ovens: Microwave ovens installed in individual departments are placed
in non-patient care areas only. Microwave ovens are to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Any food stuffs left over are to be bagged and discarded to prevent insect/rodent
problems.
G. Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in Hospital/SLUCare facilities.
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