Transcript THE UCSF HAND HYGIENE MODULE Background For over 150 years, scientists have associated decreased morbidity and mortality rates with the practice of cleaning one’s hands.

THE UCSF
HAND HYGIENE
MODULE
Background
For over 150 years, scientists have associated
decreased morbidity and mortality rates with the
practice of cleaning one’s hands. Studies show
that hand hygiene contributes to reducing
healthcare-associated infections.
In addition, adherence to hand hygiene is a Joint
Commission National Patient Safety Goal. The
Medical Center’s accreditation status is
dependent upon hand hygiene compliance.
Improving Hand Hygiene

Requires the following on the part of ALL
healthcare workers:
 Knowledge
that hand hygiene guidelines exist
 Recognition of hand hygiene opportunities
 Awareness of the risk for cross-transmission
of organisms
Hand Hygiene is
Quick and Easy

There are 2 ways to clean your hands
 Alcohol-based
hand rub (ABHR): this takes
15-20 seconds and can be accomplished
while walking down the hall or speaking with
patients, families, or colleagues
 Soap and water: this takes 1 to 1 1/2 minutes
Use Alcohol-based Hand Rub
Upon entering the patient environment
 Upon exiting the patient environment IF
you have:

 Touched
the patient
 Touched anything in the environment
 WORN GLOVES
Use Soap and Water

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When hands are visibly soiled
When hands are contaminated with blood or
body fluids
When leaving the room of a patient with
suspected or confirmed Clostridium difficile
(ABHR is ineffective against C. diff spores)
Before eating or handling food
After using the restroom
Fingernails

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Clean under your fingernails whenever you
wash your hands. Thousands of germs can
survive under and around fingernails.
Artificial nail enhancements are prohibited for
those who have patient contact. Extensions,
gels, tips, overlays, and jewelry harbor higher
numbers of germs.
Keep fingernail polish in good repair. Remove
chipped nail polish.
Technique: Alcohol-based Hand Rub
Purpose: to kill or inactivate germs on hands
 Apply product to palm of one hand.
 Rub hands together.
 Cover all surfaces of hands and fingers
(especially fingernail beds, sides of fingers, and
thumbs).
 Rub until hands are dry (15-20 seconds).
 Watch the video demonstration
Technique: Soap and Water
Purpose: to physically remove soil and germs
 Wet hands with water and apply soap.
 Rub hands together vigorously for at least 15
seconds.
 Cover all surfaces of hands and fingernails.
 Rinse hands thoroughly to remove soap residue.
 Pat dry with paper towels.
 Use paper towel to turn off faucet/open door.
 Watch the video demonstration
Technique: Surgical Hand Antisepsis
Purpose: remove higher numbers of germs before
putting on sterile gloves for invasive procedures
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Remove rings, watches, other jewelry (“naked
from the elbows down”).
Remove debris from under fingernails using a
nail cleaner and running water.
Technique: Surgical Hand Antisepsis
Purpose: to remove higher numbers of germs before
putting on sterile gloves for invasive procedures
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Perform one of the following:
 Wash for at least 2-6 minutes, including under and
around fingernails; OR
 Use an alcohol-based surgical hand rub:

Wash hands and forearms, using a pick to clean
under fingernails.

Dry hands and forearms completely.

Apply alcohol-based surgical product per
manufacturer’s instructions.
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Allow hands and forearms to air dry completely.
Intensive Care Nursery Policy
Before initial patient contact:

Remove your watch and all jewelry from your hands
and arms below the elbow. Shirt sleeves may not
extend below the elbow. (“Naked from the elbows
down.”)
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Wash for 2-3 minutes:
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Use scrub sponge (NOT the brush) and antimicrobial soap
Wash hands, wrists, forearms, and elbows, including the areas
between fingers and the lateral surfaces of the hands.
Clean fingernails with plastic nail pick, then wash hands again.
After washing, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
Intensive Care Nursery Policy

After patient contact and for subsequent patient
contact
 Apply ABHR.
Rub product on all surfaces (between
fingers, around fingernails, back of hands, wrists, and
palms). Rub until dry. Total time = 15-20 seconds.
OR
 Wash with soap and water. Rub hands vigorously
together using friction to clean between fingers,
around fingernails, back of hands, wrists, and palms.
Total time = 1 to 1.5 minutes.
Intensive Care Nursery Policy
Gloves must be worn for all patient contact
Including touching items such as warming
tables or incubators, lines, monitors, etc. in
“Baby Realm.”
Congratulations!
You have now completed the hand
hygiene module. To have your completion
recorded and documented, please fill out
and submit the module completion form.
 Note: Please be sure to put your full name
and select the correct department.
