Skin Care as an Essential Component of Hand Hygiene

Recognition of the importance of hand hygiene in the control of infection has been incorporated in healthcare organisations and NHS Trusts nationally (Department of Health (DH), 2010). Intact skin is a first-line defence mechanism against infection. Damaged skin can not only lead to infection in the host, but can also harbour higher numbers of microorganisms than intact skin and hence increase the risk of transmission to others.

Washing, bathing and scrubbing have become established hand-care rituals within the healthcare setting. During hand decontamination, soaps not only remove oils, but also the natural oils that maintain the skin and provide a barrier to infection. Healthcare workers (HCWs) need to be aware of the practices to be undertaken to preserve skin, as routine hand decontamination may compromise the integrity of the skin (World Health Organisation (WHO), 2009; Royal College of Nursing (RCN), 2012a).