Article originally published by Bunzl Australia
New challenges emerge daily in support work and community care, especially when it comes to practices around infection prevention. For carers, it’s important to ensure that you are following correct and up-to-date PPE handling and cleaning practices to protect yourself and your client from infection.
In Australia, carers are 2.8 times less likely to have good/excellent health than the average Australian, demonstrating the importance of having the necessary cleaning and protective products on-hand and being confident in how to use and dispose of these products.
Maintaining personal hygiene routines is also an important part of infection control, helping support comfort, skin health and overall wellbeing in home care environments
How can you be sure that you are following the best practice in cleaning, PPE handling and personal hygiene?
Correct Disposable Face Mask Practice
Face masks are a critical step when thinking about infection prevention in commercial cleaning. Knowing how to correctly put on, take off and dispose of your face mask is crucial to prevent infection being inadvertently spread during this process.
Steps to Putting on Your Mask [1]
- Wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap before putting on your mask
- Put the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Fit the mask snugly against the sides of your face, slipping the loops over your ears
- Avoid touching your mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands immediately
- Replace your mask with a new one as soon as it is damp
- Do not reuse single-use masks
Steps to Taking Off Your Mask
- Making sure to only handle the mask by the ear loops, stretch the ear loops around your ears
- Fold the outside corners of your mask together
- If reusable, place mask in the washing machine OR discard immediately if single-use
- Ensure you do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth and wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap
Premier's Procedure Face Mask, Level 2 are designed with the user comfort in mind, perfect for infection prevention.
Correct Glove Disposal Practice
Gloves play a critical part in infection prevention by providing a physical barrier between the wearer and physical hazards such as bacteria and viruses. It’s important to take off gloves correctly as incorrect removal can result in those same viruses and bacteria spreading through a facility.
Disposable gloves can also assist carers during personal care routines by helping reduce cross-contamination and supporting safer hygiene practices.
- Grasp the outside of the glove in the wrist area.
- Peel the glove away from your body, turn it inside-out
- Hold the inside-out glove in the other hand
- Slide your fingers under the wrist of the other glove
- Peel the glove away from your body
- Store the gloves safely
- Wash your hands
Premier's Nitrile Examination Gloves offer high levels of protection and excellent dexterity, protecting your hands from germs or harsh chemicals.
Correct Surface Wiping Practice
Illnesses and infections can have a serious impact on public and commercial organisations. When using surface wipes to clean and disinfect surface areas make sure you’re following the correct steps.
Using low lint disposable towels can also help support hygienic cleaning routines by reducing residue and assisting with quick, practical clean-up tasks throughout the home.
Best Practice for Wiping Surfaces:
- Use a single wipe
- Wipe in an ‘S’ shaped pattern from clean to dirty
- Do not wipe across the surface you have already covered as this will transfer germs back to that surface previously cleaned
- Discard the wipe in the appropriate bin
- Let the surface area air dry for one minute
Supporting Personal Hygiene in Home Care
Maintaining personal hygiene is an important part of infection control, particularly for individuals who require assisted care or have limited mobility. Consistent hygiene routines can help reduce the spread of germs while also supporting comfort, dignity and skin health.
Abena Wet Wash Gloves.
SKU: ABE540051
For situations where traditional bathing may not always be practical, rinse-free hygiene products such Abena's Wet Wash Gloves – designed to clean, rinse, dry and nourish the skin – can provide a convenient alternative. These products help carers quickly and comfortably cleanse the skin while supporting freshness and maintaining safer hygiene routines throughout the day.
Gentle cleansing products designed for sensitive skin can also help reduce irritation caused by frequent washing, making them a practical solution for everyday care in the home environment.
Infection prevention lies with correct cleaning and hygiene practices, proper PPE handling and being aware of daily cleaning standards. By adopting consistent hygiene routines, safe cleaning practices and appropriate personal care solutions, carers can create a safer and healthier environment for both themselves and those in their care.
