Neonatal Intensive Care
Hand Washing
We are committed to preventing and reducing the occurrence of life-threatening infections in our babies. We follow a strict hand hygiene policy. Please help us to protect your baby by following the rules below, and insure your visitors do the same!
Why hand hygiene is so important:
Babies in our unit are very young and their immune system is immature. This makes them extremely vulnerable to infection.
Good hand hygiene is the most important step to preventing infections. By having good hand hygiene, you will remove bacteria and reduce the risk of passing on infection, which may be harmful to your baby.Â
Staff will show you how to wash your hands using the recommended six stage hand washing technique, so you can help protect your baby.
When entering the Neonatal Unit:
- Gel hands before entering the unit
- Remove outdoor jackets and store in the lockers provide (Do not leave any valuables in the lockers)
- Ensure you are bare below the elbows – roll up your sleeves to above the elbow. Remove all jewellery from your hands and wrists (only wedding bands are allowed), they should not be put back on until you leave the unit.
- We recommend that you do not have long nails, or wear artificial or nail extensions.
- Gel your hands again when signing in to the unit
- When you enter the room your baby is being cared for, go straight to the sink. Wash your hands thoroughly right up to your elbows with soap and water according to the six steps, rinse off all the soap and dry your hands well, and then use the alcohol gel and allow it to dry.
- See the video below for demonstration.
- You should wash or gel your hand after each episode of handling your baby.
- On leaving the room your baby is being nursed in you should wash your hands again.
- Gel your hands when signing out.
We recognise that mobiles phones are an essential part of people’s lives and many parents use them for taking pictures, we encourage you to document your neonatal journey. However, mobile phones are a source of infection and it is so important to gel your hands after handling it.
If you or your relatives have any cold/ flu symptoms or vomiting and diarrhea we would ask that  you do not visit the unit.
Infection Control
Babies in our care may be very sick and can be highly susceptible to infection. Â
It is extremely important that we do as much as possible to reduce the risk of transmission of infection to the babies in our unit. If you, or any other visitors have vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, cough or a cold, you should not visit the unit until your symptoms subside.
For vomiting and diarrhoea, you should not visit the unit until you have been symptom free for 48 hours.Â
Please seek advice from Nurse in Charge if you need any further information, and we can discuss a plan, and how we can support you in caring for and  your baby if you become unwell.Â
Hand washing is one of the most important things you can do to help reduce the spread of infection in our unit.
