Alexandra Bare Below the Elbow Buying Guide

Bare below the elbow
Guide

Bare below the elbow
Enquiry feedback
The Trusts Dress
Code Policy
NHS requirement
The NHS has set out in the ‘Bare below the elbow’ Supplementary Policy for Hand Hygiene
(2014) a requirement for healthcare professionals to be bare below the elbow due to the
potential risks associated with activities within a healthcare environment. Being bare below
the elbow creates more effective hand hygiene and reduces the risk of cross infection.
The ‘Bare below the elbow’ Supplementary Policy for Hand Hygiene (2014) highlights that
infection is more likely to occur directly via hands or indirectly via an environmental source.
Hand mediated transmission is one of the major contributors to the acquisition and spread of
infection across hospitals. Ensuring hands are decontaminated effectively using the correct
techniques around the hands and wrists is important.
The ‘Bare below the elbow supplementary
policy’ (2014) requirements:
The‟‘Bare below the elbow’ approach requires that at all times, all trust staff within a clinical
area will have a uniform policy. This includes professionals allied to medicine, nurses, doctors
and any administration staff who work in clinical areas.
The directive to the policy is as follows;
• Hands and arms up to the elbow bare/mid forearm are exposed and free from
clothing/jewellery.
• Any staff who do not wear uniform but have patient contact must adhere to the ‘bare below
the elbow’ initiative for the facilitation of hand decontamination.
• Clothing worn by all staff must be clean and fit for purpose and hands decontaminated
before and after each patient contact.
Conclusion
The Trusts Dress Code Policy does not
define clinical area. However this policy
makes clear that ‘Bare below the elbow’
in clinical areas means that, from the
door providing direct access to a ward or
department where patients are seen or
treated, or in any facility where personal
care is being provided, all staff must
comply with the following :-
• Nails should be short and clean -
no nail polish or extensions
• Wrist watches must not be worn
• 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 should not be worn or, if worn,
should be tucked in
However, in some circumstances being ‘bare
below the elbows’ may cause difficulties to
staff due to disability or religion.
If this problem occurs, they may gain
guidance from infection prevention
staff. Where possible, they will aim to
accommodate individual requirements.
Alexandra endeavour to support best practice and policy within medical and clinical
environments. Therefore we have taken the decision at this time not to provide tunics that will
fall below the elbows as part of our healthcare product range.
West Park House Midland Way Thornbury Bristol BS35 2NT
t 0333 600 1111 f 0333 700 2222
e customercare@alexandra.co.uk
w alexandra.co.uk
Jan 2016