On 5 May each year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) marks World Hand Hygiene Day — a global reminder that something as straightforward as washing your hands is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent the spread of infection.
For home care providers like Mercie Grace Care, hand hygiene is not a policy box to be ticked. It is a daily commitment made by every carer, during every visit, to keep the people in our care as safe as possible.
Why Hand Hygiene Matters in Home Settings
Unlike hospital environments, home care visits take place in people’s own kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms — spaces that may not have the same clinical controls as a healthcare facility. Many of our clients are elderly or have conditions that affect their immune systems, making them more vulnerable to infection.
Research consistently shows that robust hand hygiene practices significantly reduce the transmission of infections, including respiratory illnesses, norovirus, and skin infections — all of which can cause serious complications in vulnerable adults.
The WHO’s Five Moments for Hand Hygiene
Mercie Grace Care follows the WHO’s internationally recognised Five Moments for Hand Hygiene framework, which identifies the five critical points during care when hand hygiene is essential:
- Before touching a client
- Before a clean or aseptic procedure
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After touching a client
- After touching a client’s surroundings
Our carers carry personal hand sanitiser on every visit and follow correct handwashing technique — a full 20-second wash with soap and warm water — whenever water is available.
Our Commitment to Safety
Infection prevention is built into every aspect of our care delivery at Mercie Grace — from induction training for new staff, through regular refresher sessions, to the personal protective equipment (PPE) protocols we follow for clients with specific clinical needs.
If you have questions about how we manage infection control during home care visits, please do not hesitate to speak with our care coordinator. We are happy to walk you through our approach.