Washing your hands keeps you and the patients safe. Perform hand hygiene:

• Before and after touching a patient

• Before and after touching something that could be contaminated (linen, a catheter bag, a vomit carton etc.) 

• After touching the patient surroundings (furniture, curtains etc.)  even when the patient is not touched

• Before putting on gloves and after removing gloves
• Before and after you go on a break

Hand hygiene products include:

• alcohol-based hand rub (hand gel) in dispensers on the walls and at the end of most beds
• soap and water
• chlorhexidine gluconate 2% and 4% soaps

Gloves are usually only worn when you anticipate contact with blood or other body fluids.

• Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene – hands must be washed before and after use 
• Gloves, if used, must be changed in between patients 
• Latex free (blue) gloves are available for patients or staff who require them 

Please ensure you know when and how to perform effective hand hygiene prior to working with patients to keep us all safe.

N95 mask fit testing

You may be required to wear an N95 mask in some areas. If you have not been fit tested prior to your placement, talk to your tertiary education organisation (TEO) contact coordinator to find out the process for fit testing. If you are wearing an N95 mask, ensure you know how to perform a seal check (which needs to be done every time you put on an N95 mask). See the PPE course for a video for how to perform this check or ask if you are unsure.  
 

Isolation precautions
You may notice that there are restrictions on entry to some clinical areas. Please carefully read the signs on the doors and follow instructions or do not enter that area/room.  If in doubt, please ask the clinical team for more information.