Bacteria are the major factor in contamination and cross-contamination. Well over a hundred and fifty years ago, the fact was established that simple precautions such as thorough washing of hands with soap and water and keeping surfaces clean reduced mortality and illness rates.
The use of Verify ® is an ideal visual method of informing people of the importance of correct hand washing procedures. Too often we take the view that “if we can’t see it, it isn’t there”. Verify ® is an excellent tool that can be used in various ways to cover different methods of washing and hygiene. However, we must point out and, it should also be pointed out to your staff and/or clients, that Verify® will only spread so far and does not grow, but bacteria can grow rapidly.
METHOD 1- Washing Hands with Water
One mil of Verify® is all that is required to be applied to the hands (no more than one pump). This is rubbed into the hands and spread as much and as quickly as possible. Then wash your hands as you would normally with soap, dry with paper towel (or towel) and place your hands under a “Bacteria Buster®” lamp and you will see a purple glow on areas of your hand. This is an indication of where bacteria have remained on your hand and wrists. We would point out again that Verify® does not grow, whereas bacteria do and, from these points, virulent bacteria will grow and cause further contamination.
METHOD 2 – Waterless Washing
Waterless washing means the method of using a hand sanitising gel which is rubbed in and left on the hands. This is now becoming more common, particularly in areas where infection control is very important. Where people in the past have had to consistently wash their hands with water, causing drying and chapping of hands, the sanitising gel allows a bacterial control in between washes.
In this case, we will simulate using Verify® for the gel. Once again, use one mil of Verify® (no more than one pump). Verify® is rubbed into the hands as though a sanitising gel was being applied and, in this instance, is left on the hands. Hands are then placed under the “Bacteria Buster®” lamp and in this case we are not looking for the areas that glow, we are looking for the areas that are not glowing. These are areas that have not been touched by the sanitising gel and, remember, the wrists are very moist and warm areas and a breeding ground for germs.
We must constantly remind people; bacteria grow and not only contaminate the hand and flesh but other surfaces, the key factor being cross-contamination.
METHOD 3 – Cleaning Surfaces & Cross Contamination
Washing hands and cleaning surfaces must be considered first and foremost in infection control and stopping cross-contamination helping to maintain a healthy work place and environment. A method of use for Verify® is to apply Verify® to a door handle, water jug handle, a pen or to your hand and greet everyone as they enter by shaking their hand. These are just a few examples for use of items that everyone in the group will come into contact with. After this has been done and you have allowed sufficient time for the handling of the items and everyone has settled, explain what you have done and using the “Bacteria Buster®” lamp run the light over your group and see how far the “germs” have travelled. Please note this method is not recommended when food is being consumed as Verify® is not recommended for consumption.
DERMAL BARRIER - Moisturising
Our skin is one of the most effective barriers helping prevent our bodies from becoming contaminated and causing infection. However, constant hand washing does cause drying of the skin. When using Verify®, if you have a client that has extreme difficulty removing Verify® from their hands, this is a sign that that person has very dry skin (e.g. typically found in ward persons). Drying of the skin leads to chapping and cracking of dermal layers (dermatitis), which in turn, leaves our bodies open to infection and cross-contamination.
Cracked skin can often lead to a weeping wound and this could lead to contamination and cross-contamination. It is therefore necessary for those persons to use skin moisturisers and barrier creams (e.g. Johnson & Johnson Microshield Moisturising Lotion, etc.).
For more information on Verify®, please e-mail or call our office on 07 3355 9400.
Airbourne Bacteria & Odours
Whilst this is not a subject for Verify® Hand Training Lotion, airborne bacteria are a concern of contamination and cross-contamination. We would advise that airborne bacteria and bacteria contained in water, such as air conditioners, can be controlled with the use of ultra violet germicidal lamps. Airborne contamination can be controlled by two methods, bacterial control units or ozone units.
For more information, see our Sterilisation & Bacteria Control.