Can I have some advice: should I stop wearing my rings and watch to ensure my hand washing is more effective?

[avocadoze]

I don’t know if this makes a difference or not in this situation but I observe that most HCPs don’t wear wrist watches. Don’t know about rings. Can I have some advice from someone who knows about effective hand washing?

Bump

Definitely no rings and bracelets

Put your wedding ring on a chain around your neck if you want to take it off your hand but still wear it. I take my waterproof fitness tracker off and wash it with soap whenever I wash my hands, if it wasn't a fitness tracker or wasn't waterproof, I'd leave it off and use a nurses' fob watch.

Remember to clean your mobile phone often: disinfectant wipes on the phone itself and you can remove any plastic case and clean it with soap. Not sure how to clean a leather case but I don't have one.

And no nail polish if you want to follow HCP rules

‘ Are below the elbows’ is the NHS motto. Watches are the worst as subconsciously you don’t wash your hands properly in order to keep your wrists dry

The risk of infection increases with every ring you wear which is why we are only allowed one plain metal ring.

I’ve just put mine on as I’m on leave but am thinking I shouldn’t have done.

academic.oup.com/cid/article/36/11/1383/303869

I’ve taken them off