Transcript Handwashing

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.
 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 .
Hands should be cared for so that
they do not become chapped or
irritated.
Using lotions can prevent this from
occurring.
 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.
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.
 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.
 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
 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).
 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.