HAND HYGIENE

• Hand hygiene using soap and water


  The single most effective method of preventing the spread of infection. It must be performed thoroughly, properly, and consistently.
• Handwashing, as opposed to hand hygiene with an alcohol-based rub, is required when hands are visibly dirty, when hands are visibly soiled with (or in contact with) blood or other body fluids, before eating and after using the restroom, and if exposure to certain organisms, such as those causing anthrax or Clostridium difficile, is known or suspected.
• Equipment for hand hygiene

  • Hand-operated faucet or knee of foot-operated faucet
  • Sink
  • Soap (Antimicrobial or non-antimicrobial; if in bar form, soap must be placed on a soap rack)
  • Warm running water
  • Waste disposal materials: trash cans or bags (precaution bags optional)
  • Linen bags or hamper
  • Specimen bags as needed
  • Paper towels or air dryer (if available)
  • Orange wood stick
  • Oil free lotion (optional)
• Planning for hand hygiene

  1. Prepare all pieces of equipment

  2. Stand in front of the sink; do not allow your uniform to touch the sink during the washing procedure

  3. Remove jewelry, if possible, and secure it in a safe place. Allow plain wedding band to remain in place

  4. Hands should be free of visible soiling and transient microorganisms should be eliminated
• Implementation of hand hygiene

  1. Turn on water and adjust force. Regulate the temperature until water is warm

  2. Wash the hands and wrist area; keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow toward fingertips

  3. Use about 1 teaspoon liquid soap from dispenser or rinse bar of soap and lather thoroughly. Cover all areas of hands with the soap product. Rinse soap bar again and return to soap rack without touching the rack

  4. With firm rubbing in circular motion, wash hands thoroughly, the palms and the back of the hands, each finger, the ring knuckle wrist and forearms. Wash at least 1 inch above area of contamination

  5. Wash the forearms at least as high as the elbow since contamination is likely to be present also

  6. Continue this friction motion for at least 20 seconds with firm rubbing and circular motions, wash the palms and backs of the hands, each finger, the areas between the fingers, and the knuckles, wrists, and forearms. Wash at least 1 inch above area of contamination. If hands are not visibly soiled, wash to 1 inch above the wrists

  7. Use fingernails of the other hand or a clean orange wood stick to clean the area under fingernail

  8. Rinse thoroughly with water flowing toward fingertips

  9. Pat hands dry with a paper towel, beginning with the fingers and moving upward toward forearms, and discard it immediately. Use another clean towel to turn off the faucet. Discard towel immediately without touching other clean hand

  10. Use oil-free lotion on hands, if desired
• The application and use of hand hygiene is appropriate for all health care providers.