Personal Hygiene
Domain 4: Personal Hygiene. The exam checks hand hygiene technique and timing, grooming and uniform standards, and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection-control action. The WHO five moments are: before touching a patient; before a clean or aseptic procedure; after body fluid exposure risk; after touching a patient; after touching patient surroundings. The six-step rub covers palms, backs of hands, between fingers, backs of fingers, thumbs and fingertips, including wrists. Alcohol rub takes 20–30 seconds; soap and water takes 40–60 seconds and is compulsory when hands are visibly soiled or after caring for a patient with C. difficile or norovirus.
Grooming and dress
- Short, clean nails; no artificial nails, polish, rings or wrist watches in clinical areas.
- Hair tied back; beard trimmed or covered.
- Clean uniform changed daily and whenever soiled; closed, non-slip shoes.
- Daily bath, oral care and clean linen are part of personal hygiene and of patient dignity.
PPE sequence
Donning: gown → mask or respirator → goggles or face shield → gloves. Doffing: gloves → goggles → gown → mask, with hand hygiene between steps and at the end. PPE is removed outside the patient area.
Worked example
You are asked to enter the room of a patient with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis. Reasoning: TB spreads by the airborne route, so a fit-checked N95 respirator, not a surgical mask, is needed, along with gown, gloves and eye protection; hand hygiene follows doffing.
Traps
- Using hand rub on visibly soiled hands.
- Wearing gloves instead of washing hands between patients.
- Touching your face or mask while working.