by A trail of risk on the final phase from farm to fork
More than a single moment, consider the patient protection value of the collective handwashes from the kitchen to the bed tray. Handwashing For Life Healthcare considers all those washes as one, the 6th Moment™, a reminder that all the patient room precautions can be nullified by a missed handwash along the route.
Consider a new patient. Now that he or she is resting comfortably, it’s time to finalize dietary requirements or implement the pre-agreed plan. In other words, let’s get cooking!
Kitchen pathogens might start in the fields, and without proper intervention, they navigate around the control measures. Another risk comes from all the hands of those plating the food and its transportation. On arrival to the bed tray, the food is organized for easy access by the patient. A nurse, family member or friend may assist. And then there are the hands of the patients themselves. Have they been washed with hand sanitizer, maybe even using the RubScrub™ or SaniTwice® protocols?
The 6th Moment handwashes are key factors in the caregiver’s arsenal of patient protection.
