Hand hygiene basics
1. Wash your hands frequently and whenever you enter your living space.
2. Soap and warm water for 40-60 seconds or alcohol-based hand sanitizer 20-30 seconds,1 all parts of hand (front & back, under nails, between fingers, wrists).
3. To dry your hands in a public place use single-use paper towels, or aclean towel at home.
4. Avoid touching your face.
5. Keep track of where you put your hands and clean those items/surfaces regularly.
6. Be especially careful of surfaces in public areas that are touched by many people (elevator/door buttons, handrails, keypads, touchscreens, etc.)
7. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve - not your hands.
Soap and water is good prevention together with keeping distance to other people.
Manual wheelchair users
• Clean gloves first with a non-damaging product.
• After you wash your hands, use paper towels or clean cloths to cover your tires if you need to touch them or transfer.
• Clean your pushrims, brake handles, push handles and any other parts of your wheelchair.
• Clean your tires regularly, and try to avoid touching your tires when you’re pushing.
Power wheelchair users
• Wash your hands frequently and whenever you enter your living space.
• If you’re not able to wash your hands, get someone to help you clean them with soap & water or sanitizer.
• Carefully clean your joystick and any other controls.
• Clean your armrests, tray, and any other parts of the wheelchair that your hands touch.
Everyone
• Clean your cell phone or other mobile device, and any parts of a bag or backpack that you touch.
• Clean your keys, wallet, and any cards you use in public places.
Using your mouth
• If you have limited hand function, you may typically use your mouth to grasp and hold all kinds of things.
Although it may be more difficult, it’s a good idea to find other strategies.
Other assistive devices
• Clean all parts of any assistive device you touch with your hands.
Examples
Splints, cuffs, braces, or reachers, the handles of your cane or crutches, the handgrips and brakes of your walker or rollator.
These measures may seem difficult and time-consuming, but it is extremely important for people living with spinal cord injury to prevent infection by the coronavirus. During the current emergency, taking every possible measure to protect yourself will help you stay healthy. Always follow the advice given by your healthcare provider and address questions about Coronavirus to your healthcare provider.
Coloplast® Care is also here to support you and help you navigate through this. We offer straightforward advice, personalised support and inspiration, or on the phone, where our dedicated advisers will answer questions and offer advice about everyday challenges. Visit Coloplast Care at www.coloplastcare.ca or call our advisers at 1-866-293-6349
