Heartbeat March 2020

It's never been more important to
clean, clean, clean
COVID-19
Do you know how to wash your
hands the NHS way?
Washing your hands is an essential part
of infection, prevention and control.
All colleagues must wash their hands
or use hand sanitiser on entering and
exiting clinical areas. Clinical colleagues
are reminded of the five moments of
handwashing:
1. Before touching a patient
2. Before clean/aseptic
procedures
3. After body fluid
exposure/risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching patient
surroundings.
Washing your hands is one of the simplest
ways you can protect yourself and others
from illnesses. Washing your hands properly
removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop
them from spreading to other people and
objects, which can spread illnesses. It can also
help stop people from picking up infections
and spreading them to others.
As we all try to navigate life with the
threat of COVID-19 we’ve highlighted
some easy to follow steps to ensure
your hands are squeaky clean.
1. Wet your hands with water
2. Apply enough soap or hand wash to
cover your hands
3. Rub your hands together
4. Use one hand to rub the back of the
other hand and clean in between the
fingers. Do the same with the other
hand
5. Rub your hands together and clean in
between your fingers
You must wash your hands thoroughly for no
less than 20 seconds each time
6. Rub the back of your fingers against
your palms
7. Rub your thumb using your other
hand. Do the same with the other
thumb.
8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the
palm of your other hand. Do the
same with other hand
9. Rinse your hands with water
10. Dry your hands completely with a
disposable towel where possible
11. Use the disposable towel to turn off
the tap.
Ward services officers on the frontline
The unsung heroes of our Trust who
continue working on the frontline
helping our workplace stay one step
ahead of COVID-19 are our army of
ward services officers. Compassionate
and dedicated, our ward services
officers continue to battle with
COVID-19 by keeping our sites clean
and tidy.
With their high standards of hygiene our
ward services officers have taken on the
challenge of ensuring that our wards and
departments are spotlessly clean so that
clinical colleagues can continue providing
safe and effective care.
To find out more about the work of the
ward services team, Heartbeat caught up
with Ward Service Officers (WSOs) Christine
Jukes and Julie Brazier. Giving an insight in
to the work of WSOs Christine said, “We
owe it to all of the patients at our Trust to
make sure that we have a clean hospital
for them to come in to and likewise for
colleagues to work in. COVID-19 has simply
reminded us how important our role is in
making sure that the virus does not have an
opportunity to settle, transfer or take hold
in our hospital. Every one of my colleagues
understands that the role they play in
the current situation really does have an
impact.”
Ward Services Officers Christine Jukes and Julie Brazier "in action"
Echoing the words of her colleague, Julie
said, “I’ve worked here for 20 years and
it’s fair to say COVID-19 has been a bit of
a wake up call for everyone. We're now
more focused than ever on making sure
every surface and touch point is spotlessly
clean and kept clean throughout each day.
COVID-19 is very easy to pass on through
droplets and touch so our work is extremely
important.
“However, it’s not all mops, buckets and
dusters. As WSOs we’re an extra set of eyes
on the wards. Whilst we clean, we have
an opportunity to interact with patients.
When we get them a drink we have an
opportunity to have a chat and gain an
insight in to their health and wellbeing and
more often than not they’ll tell us when
they’re feeling well and when they’re not.
We’re able to work with the rest of the
ward team and get involved.”
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