Hand Hygiene and Hand Washing: Best Practices for Veterinary Clinics

Sep 10, 2024

In the world of veterinary care, we can't overstate the importance of hand hygiene and hand washing. These practices are the cornerstone of infection control in veterinary clinics, playing a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases between animals and humans. We understand that maintaining proper hand hygiene is not just a recommendation but a necessity to ensure the health and safety of both our furry patients and the dedicated staff caring for them.

We'll explore the best practices for hand hygiene in veterinary settings, drawing insights from the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines.

Our discussion will cover the risks associated with poor hand hygiene, the five moments for hand hygiene, and tips for choosing the right products for your clinic. We'll also look at ways to overcome barriers to hand hygiene compliance and highlight effective techniques to keep your hands clean and your patients safe. By the end of this article, you'll have a clear understanding of how to put into action robust hand hygiene protocols in your veterinary practice.

Understanding the Risks of Poor Hand Hygiene in Veterinary Clinics

In veterinary clinics, we face significant challenges when it comes to hand hygiene and infection control. The risks associated with poor hand hygiene practices can have far-reaching consequences for both our animal patients and the humans who care for them. Let's explore the key aspects of these risks.

Common pathogens in veterinary settings

Veterinary clinics are hotspots for various pathogens that can cause hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Some of the most common organisms we encounter include Staphylococcus species, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Other notable pathogens include Enterococcus species, Clostridioides difficile, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species. Many of these organisms can persist on surfaces for extended periods, making them challenging to eradicate from the hospital environment.

Transmission routes

The transmission of these pathogens occurs through various routes, with hands playing a crucial role. We've found that environmental surfaces with human contact tend to have higher contamination levels compared to those without. This suggests that we, as healthcare workers, may inadvertently contribute to the spread of these organisms within the hospital environment. Fomites, such as medical equipment and shared surfaces, also serve as sources of HAI organisms, facilitating transmission between animal patients, the hospital environment, and humans.

Consequences of healthcare-associated infections

The impact of HAIs in veterinary settings is significant. These infections are associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and an economic burden due to extended hospital stays. What's more concerning is that most pathogens associated with HAIs in veterinary medicine are zoonotic, posing a risk to both animal and human health.

To address these risks, we need to implement robust hand hygiene practices. Unfortunately, studies indicate that veterinarians and staff often fall short in performing hand hygiene between patients, with compliance rates as low as 20% . The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is also suboptimal, with usage rates ranging from 6% to 37% depending on the situation.

To improve our hand hygiene practices and reduce the risk of HAIs, we should consider using products like those offered by SOPURE at sopureproducts.ca. These high-quality hand hygiene solutions can help us maintain better infection control standards in our veterinary clinics, protecting both our patients and staff from the risks associated with poor hand hygiene.

The World Health Organization's Five Moments for Hand Hygiene

In veterinary medicine, we recognize that hand hygiene is the foundation of any effective infection prevention and control (IPC) system. Without it, all other parts of the system are bound to fail. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined five crucial moments for hand hygiene, which indicate the situations with the highest risk of hand contamination and pathogen transmission.

Adapting the WHO guidelines for veterinary practice

While these guidelines were initially developed for human healthcare, we've found that they're equally applicable in veterinary settings. The work we perform in companion animal clinics is comparable to that of human healthcare workers. By adhering to these five moments, we can significantly reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections in our veterinary practices.

Key moments for hand hygiene in animal care

  1. Before touching a patient: We perform hand hygiene before our first contact with the animal, such as during a medical examination.
  2. Before clean/aseptic procedures: This includes activities like blood sampling, injections, catheter placements, and handling sterile material.
  3. After body fluid exposure risk: We clean our hands immediately after any procedure with exposure to body fluids, even after removing gloves.
  4. After touching a patient: Hand hygiene is crucial after direct patient contact, such as medical examinations or fur care.
  5. After touching patient surroundings: We clean our hands after touching objects or surfaces in the patient's vicinity, like cages or medical equipment.

By implementing these guidelines and using high-quality hand hygiene products like those offered by SOPURE at sopureproducts.ca, we can significantly improve our hand hygiene compliance. This is crucial, as current compliance rates in veterinary medicine (14-36%) are well below the average in human medicine . By focusing on these key moments, we can reduce hospital-acquired infections by up to 40% , making our veterinary clinics safer for both our patients and staff.

Selecting the Right Hand Hygiene Products for Your Clinic

In our veterinary practice, we understand that choosing the right hand hygiene products is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. We've found that different situations call for different approaches to hand cleansing.

Soap and water vs. alcohol-based sanitizers

While soap and water remain the most effective method for removing all types of germs, including viruses and bacteria, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have their place in our clinic. We use soap and water when our hands are visibly soiled or after handling chemicals. For quick and frequent disinfection, we rely on alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) with at least 60% alcohol content . These ABHRs are superior in killing microorganisms and can be applied quickly, making them ideal for busy veterinary settings.

Considerations for sensitive skin

We're mindful that frequent hand cleansing can be harsh on our skin. To protect our hands, we use liquid products from dispensers and apply hand cream or ointment containing mineral oil or petroleum jelly after washing . This helps maintain our skin's barrier function, which is crucial not only for our comfort but also for effective infection control.

Placement of hygiene stations

To encourage consistent hand hygiene, we've strategically placed sanitizer stations throughout our clinic. We've made sure they're easily accessible in examination rooms, near cages, and at the reception area. We even provide hand sanitizers in our waiting room for clients to use upon entering the clinic. By making these products readily available, we're promoting better hand hygiene practices among our staff and clients, helping to reduce the spread of infections in our veterinary setting.

Overcoming Barriers to Hand Hygiene Compliance

In our veterinary practice, we've identified several challenges to maintaining proper hand hygiene. Addressing these barriers is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and ensuring the safety of our patients and staff.

Time constraints

One of the most common reasons for not performing hand hygiene is simply forgetting to do so, with [40% of healthcare workers citing this as the primary cause](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751768/). Additionally, 21% report being too busy to maintain proper hand hygiene. To address this, we've implemented strategic placement of hand sanitizer stations throughout our clinic, making them easily accessible in examination rooms, near cages, and at the reception area.

Skin irritation

Skin damage is a significant concern, with [22% of healthcare workers](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751768/) citing it as a reason for non-compliance. To mitigate this, we've switched to alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) with at least 60% alcohol content. These products are not only effective in killing microorganisms but are also gentler on the skin compared to traditional soap and water. We've found that ABHRs are quick and easy to apply, making them ideal for our busy veterinary setting.

Lack of awareness

To improve awareness, we've initiated regular discussions about hand hygiene practices, both formally and informally. [82% of clinics](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4751768/) report having such discussions, which have proven effective in reinforcing the importance of proper hand hygiene.

Improving accessibility of hygiene products

We've ensured the availability of various hand hygiene products in our clinic. 98% of our staff have access to antimicrobial liquid soap, and 93% to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. By providing a variety of options, we cater to different preferences and situations, thereby increasing overall compliance.

 

Conclusion

Hand hygiene and hand washing are crucial for infection control in veterinary clinics. We've explored the risks of poor hand hygiene, the World Health Organization's five moments for hand hygiene, tips for choosing the right products, and ways to overcome barriers to compliance. These practices have a significant impact on preventing the spread of diseases between animals and humans, making them essential for the health and safety of both patients and staff.

To wrap up, maintaining proper hand hygiene is not just a recommendation but a necessity in veterinary settings. By putting into action robust hand hygiene protocols and using high-quality products like those offered by SOPURE, veterinary clinics can create a safer environment for everyone. Remember, good hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection control, and its importance in preventing cross-contamination in veterinary settings cannot be overstated.

FAQs

What are the top practices for maintaining hand hygiene?
To ensure proper hand hygiene, follow these steps:

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (either warm or cold), turn off the tap, and then apply soap.
  2. Rub your hands together with the soap to create a lather.
  3. Continue scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  4. Thoroughly rinse your hands under clean, running water.

What is the recommended method for hand washing in veterinary clinics?
In veterinary settings, it is crucial to use soap, water, and friction to effectively remove organic matter from your hands. Always wash and dry your hands whenever they are visibly soiled. For drying, disposable paper towels are preferred over reusable towels due to their hygienic benefits in clinical environments.

When is it essential to perform hand hygiene in a veterinary clinic?
Hand hygiene is critical in a veterinary clinic both before and after any significant contact with a patient, as well as after any activity that could lead to contamination.

What are the goals of the WHO hand hygiene guidelines for 2024?
The 2024 WHO Hand Hygiene Day aims to bolster learning methods that help implement innovative and effective training. This training is designed to empower health and care workers to enhance hand hygiene and infection prevention and control at the point of care, improving their knowledge, skills, and behaviors.