Hygiene

Infections are mainly spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth

We recommend these prevention measures in daily practice:

Wash your hands with soap, at least for 20 seconds

Following good hand washing practices is the best way to reduce the number of germs on your hands and help prevent infection.

  • After using bathroom
  • After wiping nose, coughing or sneezing
  • Before and after having a meal
  • After using public transport
  • After being in public places
  • Before and after putting mask on and off

You may want to hang up this poster for you and your family members.

How to disinfect your hands correctly

Alcohol based hand rub can further help on your hands or near your fistula.

Step by step:

  • Apply a palmful of the product in to a cupped hand
  • Cover all surfaces
  • Rub hands palm to palm
  • Palm to palm with fingers interlaced 
  • Right palm over back of left hand with interlaced fingers and vice versa
  • Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked and vice versa
  • Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
  • Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa

Click on this poster to view further.

Avoid the spread of germs

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow (not the fistula arm) when you cough or sneeze. Avoid using your bare hands
  • Throw used tissues into trash immediately
  • Regularly disinfect your hands
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth directly
  • Avoid physical contact when greeting people outside of your household e.g. hugging, shaking hands
  • Keep > 2 meters distance from others
  • Avoid enclosed spaces and crowds of people

Wear a mask

As a physical barrier, surgical masks are designed to prevent these droplets passing onto surfaces or people. This physical barrier can also prevent the droplets to reach the lungs. For protection, it is crucial that the mask is placed properly.

When to wear a mask

  • During your transport to and from the dialysis center
  • If instructed by the clinic team, wear the mask during your stay in the dialysis center incl. your treatment

You may see the clinic personal using additional protective equipment, don’t be afraid, these are preventative measures.

All patients will be provided with a mask for each treatment and shown how to use it correctly. Please take good care of the equipment given to you and follow the clinic staff instruction.

Click on this poster to view further.

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