Guidelines for preventing respiratory illness in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care: A rapid review of clinical practice guidelines

Patricia Rios; Amruta Radhakrishnan; Sonia M. Thomas; Nazia Darvesh; Sharon E. Straus; Andrea C. Tricco

As influenza viruses can be spread by hands, frequent hand cleansing is important. Alcohol based hand rubs are the gold standard for hand hygiene practice in healthcare settings. However, if hands are visibly soiled or had direct contact with body fluids they should be washed with liquid soap and running water then dried thoroughly with disposable paper towel (refer to Appendices 1.1-1.4, and Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) (http://www.hha.org.au/home/)). Influenza viruses can persist on hard surfaces and remain viable for up to 24 hours on hard, non-porous surfaces. Infectious influenza virus can be transferred to hands from these surfaces for at least 2 -8 hours after contamination of the surface. Virus transfer from porous materials to hands is less efficient due to rapid drying of the virus.23 Increased environmental cleaning can help interrupt virus transmission. Hands should be cleaned with an alcohol-based hand rub or water and liquid soap solution before and after caring for a resident. • All staff must perform hand hygiene after every contact with an ill resident. • Even when hands are visibly clean. • After being in contact with contaminated surfaces. • Whether or not gloves are worn.