Health

Task 2A                     Basic procedures in personal hygiene
Infections are a major cause of human suffering and premature death. It is essential that control of infection is issues of very great practical importance for every health care professional. To prevent and to help reduce the risks of infection, it is essential to follow certain basic procedures of cleanliness. Disease causing organisms live in and on the body and can affect others if a high standard of personal hygiene is not maintained. This is why attention to personal hygiene is important. Wearing clean clothes and regular washing helps to protect people against infection. Looking after self is a priority when caring for others which is why it is essential for all care workers to look after themselves. Wounds such as cuts, grazes scratches and boils can be very easily infected. Keeping the wounds properly covered with a suitable waterproof dressing is the best way to prevent it from happening. By doing this, it would make both the care worker and service user protected from infection.
Cleanliness for care workers must be applied to;
  * Self for example personal hygiene which consists of keeping nails and hair short, showering or bathing daily, wearing clean clothes, keeping hair clean and having clean teeth.
  * Equipment for example the items used to provide care and to treat service users
  * Environment for example the floors, furniture
  * Food preparation for example preparing, cooking and serving meals.  
When considering personal cleanliness care workers should pay attention to all parts of the body. These factors are Cleanliness, dress, protective clothing, hand washing, hair care, footwear and oral hygiene. Personal cleanliness also includes keeping nails and hair short, showering or bathing daily, wearing clean clothes, keeping hair clean and having clean teeth.
Hair care
Hair care is vital because disease causing organisms can live in hair and on the scalp. Unwashed hair...