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Psychology, family and everyday life

Kitchen: clean surfaces, safe food

During neutropenia, foodborne infections are particularly dangerous. Organising the kitchen helps put the food-safety rules from “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” into daily practice.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Fresh vegetables on a clean kitchen counter
Figure 1.A clean counter, fresh food

01Short answer

Wash hands before cooking and after touching raw meat, poultry, fish or eggs. Use separate boards and knives for raw and ready-to-eat food. Wipe surfaces with hot soapy water after each use. Sponges collect germs, so change them often or use washable cloths and wash them hot. Keep the fridge at 4 °C or below and the freezer at −18 °C; a fridge thermometer helps. Cover leftovers and refrigerate them within 2 hours. Take the rubbish out often (“Rubbish and waste: out quickly, hands off”). If possible, someone other than the patient cooks, especially with raw meat.

02Simple explanation

Wash hands.

Separate boards.

Sponges: change often.

Fridge: 4 °C.

03Scientific explanation

WHO: the five keys to safer food are keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Cross-contamination

Germs from raw meat pass to ready food via hands, boards and knives.

Fridge

Clean the fridge regularly and throw away old food.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
Cross-contaminationGerms from raw meat pass to ready food via hands, boards and knives.
FridgeClean the fridge regularly and throw away old food.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Cross-contamination
Germs passing from one food to another.
Danger zone
4–60 °C, where bacteria multiply quickly.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Wash hands.
  • Separate.
  • Chill.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Is a dishwasher good?

Yes, a hot cycle cleans well.

Can the patient cook?

Yes, following the rules; let someone else handle raw meat.

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is a dishwasher good?

  2. Can the patient cook?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food manual
  2. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  4. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  5. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  6. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 2015. Standards for the Psychosocial Care of Children With Cancer and Their Families: An Introduction to the Special Issue
  7. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Family Caregivers in Cancer (PDQ®) – Patient Version
  8. American Cancer Society. Chemotherapy Safety
  9. Cancer Research UK. Chemotherapy safety at home
  10. Macmillan Cancer Support. Supporting someone with cancer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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