Whooping cough vaccination - hand hygiene

[sarah00001]

Hi, I had my whooping cough vaccination today by the nurse at my GP practice. Before she gave me the injection, she rinsed her hands under the tap, but didn't use any soap. She didn't wear gloves either, but I understand that it isn't essential for vaccinations.

I wish I'd asked her to use soap at the time, but it felt so awkward.

I'm worried now that I may get an infection caused by her not washing her hands properly. I'm hoping she gave them a proper wash after seeing her last patient, before I came into the room, but I don't know. I guess it's too late for me to do anything now, but surely it's good practice to give your hands a proper wash in front of a patient before giving an injection?

Sarah

I wouldn't worry. Yes good practice, but she is using a sterile needle and syringe. She obviously wont have touched the needle so no chance of infection, if that's what you mean.

Most likely would have properly washed her hands after last patient.

I'm a practice nurse and give dozens of injections a week. I wash my hands after every patient I see, so a patient entering the room may not know that I had washed my hands before calling them, then used alcohol gel. I wouldn't wash them again before giving them an injection, and I wouldn't wear gloves either. My hands are clean.

Also the chance of infection from receiving an injection in your arm is miniscule - the needle is sterile and when we inject we use a 'no-touch- technique; we may touch the skin but not at the place the injection is to be given, or the end of the needle. So there is very little risk of any bacteria being introduced to the puncture site beyond that which is present on your skin already.

I would then dispose of my equipment, and then wash my hands (which may well be after you had left the room).

Try not to worry.

I have had vitamin injections every 12 weeks for years and I don't recall ever seeing the nurse wash their hands beforehand. Judging by what Sidge has said, it doesn't seem necessary and I don't recall ever being particularly touched when I've been injected.

I'm sure it's absolutely fine - I've never had any problems

Thank you both for your replies. Sidge, I'm very glad to hear from a practice nurse that what happened to me today isn't unusual. I do wonder why my nurse rinsed her hands with water if she'd washed them before, but maybe it was just an extra precaution perhaps? I think she did touch my skin where the injection was given when she moved up my sleeve though but hopefully even if she did the chance of infection is miniscule, like you said.