THE PROMISE OF HANDWASHING

KHISSA B. GONZALES, RN

“Prevention is better than Cure.” The statement remains to be the most legitimate remark when it comes to our general health. Do you know that you can prevent almost all sorts of diseases just by washing your hands? Yes, it’s true. But unfortunately, most of us tend to neglect the very essence and purpose of the act. Some might argue that they wash their hands regularly without practicing the proper way how.

In the medical field, handwashing is a very essential step to every procedure and every health practitioner to patient interaction. This is to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens that may cause the spread of diseases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention we should wash hands, Handwashing Before and during food preparation Before eating food Before and after interacting with someone who is sick Before and after treating a cut or wound After using the toilet After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing After touching an animal, animal feed or waste After handling pet or pet treats After touching garbage might seem simple; but with habitual practice, it can provide us numerous benefits. We should all start treating it as an essential routine in our everyday living. We may not be completely aware of the fact that we are consequently saving lives just by washing our hands properly. Ikaw, naghugas ka na ba?

— oOo— The author is School Nurse (Administrative Aide IV) at Pampanga High School