Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

NOBLE’S HOSPITAL Reader Information Policy Title

Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Director Responsible for Policy

Associate Chief Nurse – Acute Services

Primary Author Contact Details

David Neilan, Senior Nurse, Patient Safety & Quality Margaret Knight, Lead Nurse Infection Prevention and Control

Policy Number

Original Publication Date

October 2004

Last Reviewed Date

October 2015 - Bare Below the Elbows added.

Next Review Date Due

January 2018

Target Audience

All DHSC staff entering Hospital premises.

Policy Description

Policy describes the standard required by staff in the wearing of hospital uniform. The policy also describes the dress code applied to staff who are permitted to wear mufti to work.

Policy Changes in this Review

January 2016 - the policy has been updated to include the Theatre Dress code.

Cross Reference

Infection Control Policy 071 Personal Protective Equipment Policy and 055 Hand Hygiene Policy

Superseded Documents

Uniform Policy 0003/June 2013

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

1. PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of the policy is to ensure that all staff, including students, working

within Noble’s Hospital will dress and present themselves in a manner that encourages public trust and confidence and that promotes a positive professional image. It is acknowledged that work wear will vary between different staff groups. Nevertheless, it is important that staff look professional, identifiable and wear clothes that are safe for the work area, whether uniform is worn or not.

1.2 Noble’s Hospital recognises the diversity of cultures, religions and disabilities of its employees and will take a sensitive approach when this affects dress and uniform requirements. However, priority will always be given to clinical health and safety, security and infection prevention & control considerations.

1.3 This policy applies to all employees of Noble’s Hospital regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability or religious or cultural belief. This includes agency/externally employed workers and volunteers.

2. POLICY

Noble’s Hospital expects all employees to adhere to this policy for the following

reasons: 2.1 Appearance is considered to be of significant importance in portraying a

corporate and professional image to all users of its service whether patients, visitors, clients and colleagues.

2.2 To ensure health, safety and hygiene requirements of the work environment, identified through the risk assessment process, are met. This includes the protection and safety for both staff and patients, to meet Infection Prevention and Control requirements.

2.3 To support the maintenance of a therapeutic relationship and interdisciplinary teamwork in the absence of a traditional uniform.

2.4 To ensure employees are easily identifiable by other members of staff and the public. Name badges must be worn or carried whilst on duty for identity and security purposes.

2.5 To ensure non-uniformed staff dress appropriately for attendance at work.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

3. PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY

3.1 Clothing

3.1.1 Clothing must be smart, neat, safe, in a good state of repair and

appropriate to the role to be undertaken. Non-hospital logos or

slogans on clothing, especially those which may cause offence to

others must not be worn.

3.1.2 All staff should maintain a professional image at all times. To achieve

this aim, uniform should be of an appropriate fit, well-maintained in

line with laundering guidance and only provided by Noble’s Hospital

laundry services/sewing room. The uniform should be clean, odour-

free, crease-free, short sleeved and not damaged.

3.1.3 All repairs/alterations to uniforms should be carried out by Noble’s

Hospital sewing room. Uniforms which need extensive repair should

be replaced.

3.1.4 Belt buckles are optional, but must be removed when moving and

handling patients where injuries may be caused. The buckles must be

cleaned regularly.

3.1.5 Only black or navy socks may be worn with trousers suit uniform.

These socks must be a solid colour i.e. not patterned.

3.1.6 Only black or natural coloured tights or stockings may be worn with

dress uniform.

3.2 Identity Badges

3.2.1 All employees are supplied with a Noble’s Hospital identity security badge which details their name and job title and must be worn at all times whilst attending Hospital business. Employees fulfilling duties within the community must carry their hospital ID badges with them at all times.

3.2.2 Identity/security badges must be kept secure when not being worn.

3.2.3 Those employed on a temporary contract or voluntary basis must

be supplied with a hospital identity/security badge stating their

position.

3.2.4 All badges must be removed in situations where they are likely to

cause injury to patient, staff or visitors.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

3.2.5 If worn, neck lanyards must have a quick-release safety clip and

should be tucked in when entering a ‘bare below the elbows’ zone.

3.2.6 All staff wearing uniforms must have a sew-on badge visible to

patients, visitors and other staff clearly stating name with the

approved Hospital logo #hello my name is.

3.2.7 All non-uniformed staff must have a visible badge clearly stating

#hello my name is.

3.3 Footwear

3.3.1 Footwear for staff in uniform must be navy or black, in a good state

of repair and appropriate to the workplace and job role. For health

and safety reasons the shoes of staff delivering direct patient/client

care should be less than 2 inches high with a closed toe and back

and have a rubber sole to reduce noise at night.

3.3.2 Employees must be able to respond to any emergency situation

without placing themselves at risk. Therefore if footwear is

inappropriate or deemed unsuitable for the task or location the

manager has the discretion to ask for it to be changed immediately.

3.3.3 For staff in uniform, plain black or navy trainers may be worn in

designated areas only (this does not include ward areas or

Outpatient Departments) which will be determined at divisional or

departmental level, with approval from the Associate Chief Nurse –

Acute Services.

3.3.4 Non-uniformed staff may wear footwear appropriate to role and

dress e.g. smart, professional attire. It is not acceptable for staff to

wear Flip flops, fit flops, open toed sandals or crocs.

3.4 Jewellery

3.4.1 Jewellery may be worn, however kept to a minimum (this includes

piercings), provided it does not compromise health and safety or

hygiene pertinent to the particular activity being undertaken.

3.4.2 Staff in uniform: may wear plain studs for pierced ears; the wearing of

long or looped earrings is not permitted. Excessive piercings and

nose studs must be removed whilst on duty; i.e. one set of ear

studs for pierced ears allowed. Necklaces must not be worn. No rings

with stones should be worn – one plain band is permitted.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

3.4.3 Two hospital training badges with rounded edges is permitted on

uniforms.

3.4.4 Wrist watches must not be worn with uniform.

3.4.5 Care must be exercised with regard to the security of pens and

scissors to avoid the risk of injury to the patients or staff.

Also see Section 4.3

3.5 Make-up, Hair and Nails

3.5.1 Hair and make-up should be neat, clean and worn in a manner giving

consideration to the particular activity being undertaken and should be covered when required for hygiene reasons. The wearing of false eye lashes is prohibited.

3.5.2 Medium length or long hair should be tied up and worn off the collar.

3.5.3 Facial hair must be neat and covered where required for hygiene

reasons. Both hair (including facial) and make-up should comply with

the central principles of this policy in terms of professional image and

health and safety.

3.5.4 Nail length should not compromise health and safety, e.g. where the

role involves prevention and management of aggression or handling

food. Staff providing direct patient/client care must not wear nail

polish. Particular attention should be paid to nails for those working in

clinical and food handling areas and the following applies:

Artificial nails, nail jewellery or nail polish must not be worn as

doing so can harbour micro-organisms and can impair the

effectiveness of hand decontamination.

Nails should be kept short and particular attention paid to them

when washing hands.

4. BARE BELOW THE ELBOWS

4.1 Current National and International guidance has consistently identified that

effective hand decontamination results in significant reductions in the carriage

of potential pathogens on the hands and therefore it is logical that the

incidence of preventable Healthcare Associated Infection is decreased (Epic 3,

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

2014). Noble’s hospital has adopted ‘Bare below the Elbows’ as part of its

strategy in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.

4.2 Uniforms and work wear must not impede effective hand hygiene, and should not come into contact with patients during direct patient care activity. All staff will adopt the ‘bare below the elbows’ dress code whenever they enter a ‘bare below the elbows’ zone. A zone is defined as a bay or a room where patients are seen.

4.3 Bare below the elbows principles include:

Nails should be short and clean – no nail polish, false nails or extensions. Wrist watches must not be worn in the clinical area. No other jewellery should be worn around the wrist. Alert bracelets must

be removed and attached around lanyard or pinned to uniform. No rings with stones should be worn – one plain band is permitted. Sleeves must be short or rolled securely up to the elbow in order to allow

access to the wrist for good hand wash technique. Ties and lanyards should not be worn or, if worn, should be tucked in.

See Appendix 3 for picture example.

4.4 This includes all members of the Department of Health and Social Care staff e.g.

nurses, doctors, professionals allied to medicine, portering staff, housekeepers and administration staff who work in a clinical area.

4.5 Any staff who do not wear uniform but have patient contact must adhere to the

‘bare below the elbows’ initiative for the facilitation of hand decontamination, when entering a ‘bare below the elbows’ zone.

4.6 Clothing worn by all staff must be clean and fit for purpose and hands must be

decontaminated before and after each patient contact or contact with the patient environment.

5. NON-ACCEPTABLE CLOTHING

5.1 Unless part of a department uniform or a requirement for specific duties the

following items of clothing are examples of unacceptable clothing, either on

the grounds of health and safety or for the hospitals public image:

Casual trousers (including jeans) or skirts.

Tracksuits, casual sports, T-shirts. Leisure shorts, combat trousers.

Sweatshirts.

Baseball caps/hats.

Overly-tight or revealing clothes, including mini-skirts, low cut tops

or those revealing the midriff and clothing bearing in-appropriate

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

slogans. (These are only some examples and by no means an

exhaustive list.)

6. OUTER GARMENTS 6.1 No outer garments should be worn in clinical areas, e.g. fleeces/cardigans. 6.2 Night staff may wear cardigans in black or navy blue at the nurse’s station

when not attending patients. 6.3 Staff in uniform leaving their ward/department area for business purposes or

attending the staff rest areas, shop, café or staff restaurant can only wear a black or navy cardigan over their uniform. Jackets, hoodies, and coats are not acceptable.

7. WEARING UNIFORM OUT OF WORK

7.1 All staff undertaking work in Community settings must wear Hospital

uniform when on duty and meet all elements of this Uniform Policy, unless

otherwise agreed by their Manager.

7.2 All staff should travel to and from work in their own clothes and change into

uniform at work. If this is not possible Hospital uniform must not be worn

outside the Hospital premises unless covered and travelling in a private

vehicle. It is not acceptable for staff to travel on Public Transport in their

uniform or be seen walking home.

7.3 If travelling in private vehicle, staff must not go shopping or run errands

in uniform their way home.

8. PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS

8.1 There will be circumstances where adhering to all or part of this policy may

cause difficulties to individual members of staff. This should be discussed with

the Line Manager. Any modification to the policy must comply with general

legislation, duty of candour and patient safety policies. Central principles of this

policy must be adhered to. Circumstances would include:

Pregnant staff who need to wear different clothing to maintain

their own safety as pregnancy progresses.

Staff who have religious/cultural beliefs which require certain dress.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

Staff who have been advised by occupational health; other health

care specialists or specific requirements relating to their health and

safety.

Staff with disability.

8.2 Departments with teams or specific clothing requirements are encouraged to

create a departmental procedure for dress as an addendum to this policy, but

should not replace it. Managers have the discretion to decide upon individual

items of clothing and overall appearance depending on the specific needs of

the service and/or task.

9. BREACHES OF THE POLICY 9.1 Minor breaches of the policy will be dealt with informally. However, serious

breaches or continued less serious breaches may result in disciplinary action.

10. RESPONSIBILITIES 10.1 Managers

10.1.1 To advise all staff of the dress code applicable to the area of work.

10.1.2 To ensure all staff comply with this policy.

10.2 Individuals

10.2.1 To dress in a way that supports the principles in this policy. 11. LAUNDERING OF UNIFORMS 11.1 A clean uniform must be worn every shift/working day. Clothes that become

contaminated with body fluids must be changed at the first opportunity and must not pose a risk of spread of infection.

11.2 Hospital uniforms should ideally be sent to the laundry for cleaning; if not sent

to the laundry then they must be washed separately from household laundry at 60ºC.

11.3 Uniforms should be washed separately from general household laundry.

National Guidance recommends washing at 60ºC for ten minutes.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

12. SUPPLY OF UNIFORMS 12.1 Staff working in a clinical setting will be supplied according to their pattern of

working, those working shift patterns will be supplied with uniforms according to hours worked.

12.2 Staff will be issued with the same number of sets of uniform to correlate with

the number of days they work each week, the following will apply:

Working frequency Number of sets of Uniform 5 days a week 5 sets of uniform 4 days a week 4 sets of uniform 3 days a week 3 sets of uniform 2 days a week 2 sets of uniform 1 day a week 1 set of uniform

13. AUDIT 13.1 It is the r esponsibility of all Staff to comply with this p olicy. Team

Leaders, Senior Sisters/Charge Nurses and Department Heads are asked to lead by example in complying with this policy and to monitor their staff for compliance.

13.2 Staff compliance with this policy can be measured by spot checks of dress,

accessories and uniform compliance using the agreed Dress Code/Uniform Audit Tool (Appendix 2).

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

ADDENDUM: THEATRE DRESS CODE

The purpose of Theatre attire is to provide a barrier that protects the patient from micro-organisms, which are shed into the environment from the mucous membranes, skin and hair of Theatre personnel and to protect the outside environment from Theatre contaminants. A patient’s surgical outcome is greatly influenced by the creation and maintenance of an aseptic environment. The aim of all peri-operative personnel must therefore be to minimise the introduction of micro-organisms to the peri-operative setting. Personnel are able to influence the surgical environment by maintaining strict personal hygiene, wearing Theatre attire correctly, reporting potential health problems, monitoring visitors and maintaining a clean environment. The perception of a strict ‘Theatre discipline’ by other staff, patients and visitors, particularly in view of high profile media reporting of hospital associated infections, makes strict adherence and enforcement imperative to inspire confidence. It is acknowledged that medical colleagues may at times need to exercise professional discretion over compliance with aspects of this policy, particularly in emergency situations. However, there is an expectation that personnel of other Theatre professions, i.e. nurses, ODPs, TSWs, will respond to recommendations from their professional bodies and other sources and assist senior colleagues in the implementation of this Code, therefore assisting in the presentation of an acceptable image at all times.

In addition to the standards above the following applies:

1. Restricted Areas – anaesthetic rooms, preparation rooms & operating rooms

1.1 Personnel entering restricted areas (see above) must wear designated

Theatre attire, thus decreasing the potential for wound infection in surgical patients. This excludes those escorting paediatric patients. Off duty clothing should not be worn in these areas

1.2 All staff within the operating department must wear freshly

laundered trouser/scrub suits. 1.3 Correct Theatre attire includes trouser/scrub suits, head/facial hair

covering, masks & eyewear. Plastic aprons may also be worn to provide protection from contamination for both patients and staff.

1.4 Attire selected should be of an appropriate and comfortable fit. Not too

large/baggy in order to avoid accidental contamination of sterile fields and increased shedding and not too tight in order to reduce the amount of perspiration produced and to be comfortable.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

1.5 Theatre attire must be replaced at least daily. However, following

contamination by blood, body fluids, excessive perspiration or upon return to the department after visiting infectious patients, staff must change their scrubs.

1.6 Unless there is explicit consent from Occupational Health home

laundering is not allowed. Noble’s Hospital laundry ensures that the laundry processes are monitored and assessed and laundry is handled in conjunction with standard precautions. It also prevents the spread of contaminants into the home (DoH 1995 AfPP 2011).

1.7 Neither used nor clean Theatre attire should be stored in lockers for

further use. 1.8 There must be robust induction and continuous surveillance of Theatre

personnel to ensure compliance. Theatre Team Leaders, Theatre Co-ordinator and Theatre Manager will monitor compliance.

1.9 For security, it is recommended that a minimum number of valuables be

brought into the operating department and those necessary should be secured in the lockers provided.

2. Headwear 2.1 All head and facial hair must be covered, preferably by an appropriate single-

use, disposable Theatre cap/hood. 2.2 Cloth hats are permissible if laundered on site (AfPP 2011). 2.3 Headwear must be replaced at least daily. However, following contamination it

must be replaced as soon as possible. 2.4 Headwear must be discarded appropriately for disposal after use. 2.5 Headwear must always be worn in laminar flow Theatres (ICNA 2002). 2.6 A single-use disposable hood must be worn for those with a beard. 3. Footwear 3.1 The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (HMSO 1992) Regulation 4

requires every employer to provide suitable PPE to each employee who may be exposed to any risk while at work.

3.2 Theatre footwear must provide adequate protection and be suitable for decontamination. The purpose of specific Theatre footwear is to provide antistatic properties in accordance with BS EN ISO 20345 (BSI 2004).

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

3.3 Theatre footwear provided by the employer should be well fitting, supportive and protective with enclosed toes and uppers. They should provide protection from spillages, accidentally dropped sharps, allow rapid response to an emergency, facilitate safe manual handling, reduce noise levels and minimise the infection risk. They should be replaced by the Hospital when necessary at the request of staff.

3.4 Footwear worn in Theatres should be for that use only and should be cleaned regularly by wearer (using appropriate PPE) to remove any contaminants.

3.5 Theatre footwear must not be left in a contaminated state or on changing room floors. Footwear should be clean and ready for use.

3.6 Refer to the ‘Local Operating Department Policy for Preparation of Personnel’ for further information.

4. Facemasks 4.1 The use of facemasks in a surgical setting is to contain the micro-

organisms expelled from the mouth and nose. They also protect the wearer from potential splashes of body fluids and blood. Masks also offer some protection from inhalation of surgical smoke and LASER plume. It is recommended that masks be worn when sterile items are being opened or are already open, when surgery is about to commence or is already underway, and during surgical intervention (AfPP 2011).

4.2 It is acknowledged that individual consultants exercise their discretion over personnel in their Theatre wearing masks although, as masks are classified as PPE, individuals may exercise their right to wear one if they so choose.

4.3 Fluid shield masks must be worn whenever activities could place

personnel at risk of splashes or aerosol contamination. 4.4 Masks must cover the mouth and nose, fit the contour of the face

and be tied securely. 4.5 The user should avoid touching the mask once it is applied. A used

mask should be handled by the tapes only. 4.6 As masks are classified as PPE they are single-use and disposable.

Used masks must be discarded into an appropriate container for disposal after each use or if soiled.

4.7 Masks should not hang around the neck or under the chin during

non-clinical activity. They should not be put into pockets for future use. A fresh mask should be worn following a rest break. Masks must be removed after each patient.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

4.8 When required, i.e. when caring for a patient who has a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis or other respiratory infection, please refer to the DHSC Personal Protective Equipment Policy (CG 0071) for specific guidance.

5. Eye Protection 5.1 Protective eyewear, mask or face shields should be worn whenever

there is a risk of splash or spray contamination to face or eyes. 5.2 Protective eyewear should be discarded or decontaminated when

contaminated, observing standard precautions. 6. Appropriate Dress When Leaving Theatre 6.1 If there is a requirement to leave the Theatre for official duties or

during rest breaks, a white coat should be worn to cover Theatre attire. Masks and headwear should be removed and replaced upon return to Theatre with a fresh hat and mask.

6.2 Discretion must be exercised over the necessity to change Theatre

attire on return to the Theatre department. 6.3 Personnel excluded from the requirement to wear a white coat

when leaving the operating department are those involved in clerical duties, this is generally clerical staff who wear a designated theatre attire. This may also include Theatre personnel attending emergencies.

6.4 Personnel should wear a white coat over their Theatre attire to visit

the dining room to purchase food/drink and return to the operating department. Personnel are to be discouraged from remaining in the dining area in this attire.

Personal protective equipment e.g. caps & masks must not be worn

outside Theatre, this includes visiting wards and in corridors.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD PERSONNEL LEAVE THE HOSPITAL BUILDING IN THEATRE ATTIRE/SHOES: This includes the hospital grounds during rest breaks, the car parks, public transport and peripheral buildings, for example, Keyll Darree.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

REFERENCES

Boyce, JM., Pittet D. (2002) Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology. 23(12 Suppl):S3-40.

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Hand Hygiene Policy. Tasmania: DHHS, 2010. 20090713_DOC ID.DOC. Available from URL: www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/data/assets/pdf_file/0006/72393/Hand_Hygiene_Policy_2010.pdf Epic 3 (2014). National Evidence-Based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections in NHS Hospitals in England. Journal of Hospital Infection. Health & Social Care Act (2012) Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance. Department of Health. London. NHMRC (2010) Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. Commonwealth of Austral ia. Trick, W.E.,Vernon, M.O., Hayes, R.A., Nathan, C., Rice, T.W., Peterson B.J., Segreti, J., Welbel, S.F., Solomon, S.L., Weinstein, R.A. (2003) Impact of ring wearing on hand contamination and comparison of hand hygiene agents in a hospital. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 36(11), 1383-1390. World Health Organisation (2009) WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. World Alliance for Patient Safety - First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care is Safer Care. 1 ed. Geneva: World Health Organisation Press.

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

APPENDIX 1: UNIFORM GUIDE FOR WARD BASED STAFF

Registered Nurse

Sister

Senior Sister

Senior Nurse

Housekeeper

Chief Nurse

Healthcare Assistant

Specialist Nurse

Bed Manager

Midwife

Lead Midwife

Student Nurse

Noble’s Hospital, DHSC Isle of Man Uniform, Dress Code and Bare Below the Elbow Policy

APPENDIX 2: UNIFORM POLICY AUDIT TOOL

UNIFORM POLICY AUDIT TOOL FOR CLINICAL STAFF WEARING UNIFORM.

Department / Ward : Department /Ward Staff

Auditor : Date of Audit : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The uniform should be crease free.

The uniform should not be damaged.

Vest, T-shirts or under garments should not be visible at any time unless the same colour as the

main uniform or in white.

Belt buckles are optional, but should be removed when moving and handling patients where

injuries may be caused.

Hair should be clean, neat and tidy.

Long hair, below shoulder length, should be tied up at all times.

Uniform should be clean and odour free

Wristwatches: must not be worn in clinical situations.

Earrings: one pair of small plain stud earrings only.

Rings: one plain ring band may be worn.

Nail varnish/false nails should not be worn.

No visible necklaces, chains, bracelets, ankle chains to be worn. This includes items in all metals

or materials, including those worn for therapeutic purposes.

A Hospital ID Badge must be worn at all times. This should show a current recognisable

image of the member of staff with the full name of the member of staff visible.

The badge of a Professional Organisation or Trade Union (optional).

Approved National Campaign badges may be worn at the time of a campaign.

Shoes should be navy or black, low heeled with black non-slip soles and low noise

soles/heels.

Originator: Senior Nurse, Patient Safety and Quality & lead Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Date of Issue: October 2011, reviewed June 2014;January 2016 Date for Review: January 2018 Ratified: Patient Safety and Quality Committee

0067/Jan 2016

Noble’s Hospital Tahoma 8 Header & Footer Title of Policy

Appendix 3: BARE BELOW THE ELBOWS