Junior docs baring all!

The ‘bare below the elbow’ campaign gives medical and other staff good advice on reducing the spread of infection in hospitals.

Hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective measure for preventing infections. Hands are the most common way by which micro-organisms, particularly bacteria may be transported and subsequently cause infection. Some bacteria will live and multiply on the skin, however others are picked up and transmitted whilst in contact with patients and/or their environment.

The Trust is promoting the practice for staff to work “bare below the elbow” at all times. This allows effective hand washing and supports the drive for reducing infection. All staff including junior doctors must comply with the “bare below the elbow” policy to avoid contamination by long sleeved garments. The emergence of strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria can be controlled through good infection control procedures and prescribing policy.

At the end of August the latest intake of junior doctors started out on their medical careers at the Trust. As part of their induction they were told about the role they could play in spreading infection if they do not comply with the hand hygiene and bare below the elbow policies.

Junior doctors were urged to show zero tolerance by complying with the steps to reducing the spread of infection. These are:

Nails should be short and clean – no nail polish or extensions; wrist watches must not be worn in clinical areas; no other jewellery should be worn around the wrist; no rings with stones should be worn – one plain band is permitted; no ties or ties tucked in; sleeves must be short or rolled securely up to the elbow.

To ensure policies are being followed hand hygiene audits including observation of compliance with the bare below the elbow policy are carried out on a regular basis.

Dr Peter Flanagan, Medical Director said: “Every year we have new junior doctors come to the Trust and it is essential they know the importance of the role they have in preventing healthcare associated infections. This is the start of their medical career and the good infection control practices they learn now will remain with them throughout the rest of their working lives.“