Hand washing

1. Hand washing

2. The most basic and fundamental of infection control and prevention skills is hand washing. • Rids the hands of germs which cause infections • Hands are a primary means of spreading infections and washing them rids the hands of these germs.

3. Hand washing • Use either plain soaps or antimicrobial products. • Washing with soap suspends microorganisms (germs) and allows them to be mechanically removed by rinsing. • Antisepsis: Cleansing with antimicrobial products which kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms .

4. Caring for hands: • Hands should be cared for so that they do not become chapped or irritated. • Using lotions can prevent this from occurring.

5. Principles of Hand washing: • Use: • Soap because it removes germs. • Warm water because it’s less damaging to the skin and creates a better lather. • Friction because it helps to remove germs. • Rub hands back and forth helps to rid the hands of germs.

6. Use: • Dry paper towels to turn on and off the water because it prevents contamination of the hands by the faucet. • Dry towels are used because germs can more easily travel through wet towels. • Hand lotion after washing to prevent the hands from becoming chapped. • Hands that are chapped can become a portal of entry for germs.

7. Remember to: • Clean your fingernails and cuticles to remove germs. • The cuticles often harbor the most germs. • Point your fingers downward to prevent water from running down your arms and contaminating your clean hands. • Clean all surfaces of the hands including palms, back, tops, and between the fingers.

8. I need to wash my hands: • Beginning of work and before leaving work. • Anytime they become contaminated. • i.e. after picking up an item off the floor, contact with soiled or contaminated item. • After sneezing, coughing, or using a tissue. • Before and after: • Contact with a patient • Donning and removal of gloves • Handling a specimen • Contact with your mouth or mucous membranes

9. How long to wash your hands…….. • 2 minutes at the beginning and end of your shift. • 1 minute or longer if they become dirty. • (i.e. getting hands soiled while taking care of a patient, handling dirty linens.) • 1 – 2 minutes after caring for an infected patient. • (i.e. patient with MRSA) • 10 – 15 seconds before caring for another patient. (Singing the Happy Birthday song or the ABC’s song).

10. Things to remember……. • Follow the clinical site’s specific policies and procedures on hand washing. • Know the protocols for aseptic hand washing in certain areas of the clinical setting. • Practice good hand washing at all times.