How useful is it to use hand sanitizers during the covid-19 pandemic?
Hand sanitizers such as Palm+ and antibacterial hand gel such as Palm+ Antibacterial Hand Gel have been used in health practices for years as a way to clean hands so stop the transfer of bacteria and viruses from patient to patient. They are a lot faster to use than washing your hands with soap and water in the sink and can kill of any unwanted germs fast.
“Hand washing is the single most important measure in reducing the spread of disease and infections. Hands are a repository for micro-organisms and the risk of disease and infections to the patient are greatly reduced by staff appropriately and timely washing and/or decontaminating their hands.”
Hand Washing and the Use of Hand Sanitiser – NHS
How convenient are hand sanitisers?
When out an about the majority of people who catch a virus are from direct contact with other people and surfaces. Carrying around a portable bottle of hand sanitizer and antibacterial gel makes life a whole lot more convenient for the public. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, there may not always be a bathroom nearby to wash your hands. Plus the soap available I those bathrooms may or may not be antibacterial. With hand sanitizers and antibacterial hand gel on hand, a person can wash their hands quickly and easily to prevent spreading the germs to other people and surfaces.
How should I use hand sanitizers and antibacterial gels?
According to the NHS, hand sanitizers (gel or liquid) are solutions to be placed onto dry hands, where hands are not visibly contaminated and provides an additional method for ensuring hands are clean before proceeding with clinical care. They are useful where additional rapid hand cleansing is required (Appendix D). In order for effective hand decontamination to take place the arms must be bare from the elbows down and jewellery/nail polish/artificial nails must not be worn.
Are hand sanitizers bad for your health?
There has yet to be any proof that any alcohol based hand sanitiser may be damaging to your health if used correctly. So don’t go drinking it anytime soon!
Should workplaces provide hand sanitizer and antibacterial gels at work?
The best way to remind employees to use hand sanitizer is by making it easily accessible and always within sight. It’s important to place hand sanitizer near and around high-touch surfaces and communal areas such as entrances and exits, cafeterias and kitchens, meeting rooms that may have a large amount of traffic and near to employee’s desks for ease of access.