Video of nurse using Taylor Swift song to teach handwashing goes viral
Posted 04 August 2016 - 13:32
A video of a nurse demonstrating correct handwashing techniques to the tune of one of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits has has been viewed more than 600,000 times.
The short clip shows Ross Mawhinney, lead nurse for clinical education and training at Belfast-based training firm Staff Nursing, miming a 'seven steps of handwashing’ technique to the US singer’s song Shake It Off.
It was filmed during a training session last month and posted on the company’s Facebook page.
Inspiration for video
‘I was concerned that no matter how many posters you put up around hospitals, handwashing still does not get completed fully,’ said Mr Mawhinney.
‘I’m a Taylor Swift fan and was listening to her album 1989 in the car when Shake It Off came on. I immediately checked to see if the timing was right to demonstrate the seven steps before the song reaches the chorus.’
Correct handwashing technique
The seven steps are:
- Turn on the tap using elbows or foot pedal, wet hands thoroughly and apply liquid soap.
- Rub hands palm to palm.
- Rub right palm over left top part of hand with interlaced fingers and vice-versa.
- Rub palm to palm with interlaced fingers.
- Rub backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
- Use rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice-versa.
- Use rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa.
‘I was surprised how quickly it went viral, but also delighted because this will help get the message across,’ Mr Mawhinney added.