Transcript Handwashing_(1)

Hand Hygiene
Why Is Hand Hygiene Important?
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Hands are the most common mode of
pathogen transmission
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Hand washing is an extremely important step in overall infection control since it
removes the bacterial flora on the skin
All humans have bacterial flora on their skin. The bacterial flora on the hands can
be divided into two groups:
 Resident flora are found on the surface of the skin and under the
superficial layers. They live and multiply on the hands. A common example
is Staphylococcus epidermidis. Resident bacterial hand flora are unlikely to
cause infections on the skin surface but may be problematic if they enter
wounds or body cavities.
 Transient bacterial flora are frequently acquired from contact with
surfaces, substances or people. An example is Staphylococcus aureus. They
may or may not colonise the hands and are more easily removed by
handwashing than resident flora. Transient flora may be pathogenic and
cause health care-associated infections.
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Hands should be washed with hand soap OR alcohol
base rubs may be used if hands are not visibly soiled.
Studies show that using an alcohol rub for a minimum
of 10 seconds can be more effective in removing the
bacterial flora on the hands than hand washing.
Antibacterial hand soaps are not necessarily
recommended due the drying effect it has on the skin
when used frequently. Cracking (open surface) can
lead to surface infections on the hands.
Hand Hygiene Definition
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Hand hygiene is a general term that
applies to either hand washing, antiseptic
hand wash, alcohol-based hand rub, or
surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis.
Hand washing
Washing hands with plain soap and water
 Antiseptic hand wash
Washing hands with water and soap or other
detergents containing an antiseptic agent
 Alcohol-based hand rub
Rubbing hands with an alcohol-containing preparation
(used after hand washing)
 Surgical antisepsis
Hand washing with antiseptic soap or alcohol-based
handrub before operations by surgical personnel
(Antiseptic preparations for surgical hand hygiene
should have persistent (long-lasting) antimicrobial
activity)
When to Wash:
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Visibly dirty
After touching contaminated objects with
bare hands
Before and after patient treatment
(before glove placement and after glove
removal)
 Optional use of alcohol based hand
rub is acceptable if hands are not
visibly soiled
Hand washing before and after contact with each
patient is the single most important hygiene
measure for reducing or preventing the spread of
infection
Before the procedure
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Long sleeves rolled up.
Hand jewelry should not be worn as
it may tear gloves and harbor
bacteria
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Studies have demonstrated that skin
underneath rings is more heavily
colonized than comparable areas of
skin on fingers without rings
Fingernails
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Can affect the integrity of gloves
Can also harbor bacteria
Keep fingernails SHORT!
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Avoid artificial nails
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Hand Hygiene: Frequently Missed Areas
Courtesy of SDS Kerr
Hand washing Technique
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Apply soap or detergent to the palms of the hands and
rub palms together vigorously
Place the right palm over top of the left hand and rub.
Repeat this with the left hand over the right hand
Place palms together and interlace fingers and rub.
Link fingers so that the backs of fingers are against the
opposite palm and rub
Place the fingertips in the palm of the opposite hand,
rotate and rub. Repeat this for the other hand
Grasp the right thumb with the left hand, rotate and
rub. Repeat with the opposite thumb
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Grasp the left wrist with the right hand. Rotate and rub.
Repeat this for the other wrist.
Rinse hands thoroughly, holding them downwards
Turn off taps with elbows or wrists. If this is not possible, use a
disposable paper towel to touch the tap while turning it off
Dry hands thoroughly using as many disposable paper towels
as necessary. Place used towels in a foot-operated waste bin.
This entire procedure normally takes 15-30 seconds. A longer
surgical scrub will require extra soap or detergent.
Be sure not to touch ANYTHING after washing
Hand Protection
Gloves
 Minimize
the risk of acquiring infections from patients
 Prevent
microbial flora from being transmitted from
health care providers to patients and from patients to
patients
 Are
not a substitute for hand washing!
Recommendations for Gloving:
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Wear gloves when contact with blood, saliva, and
mucous membranes is possible
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Remove gloves immediately that are torn, cut or
punctured
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Remove gloves after patient care
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Do not wash, disinfect or sterilize gloves for reuse
Types of Procedural Gloves”
Patient Procedure
Surgical
Glove Fit:
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Should be available in
a variety of sizes and
types
May causes hand
fatigue if gloves don’t
fit correctly
Glove integrity may be
compromised
Injury is more likely to
occur do to an ill fitting
glove
Example of Gloves that are too TIGHT
Will cause fatigue as fingers try to flex
Pulls too tightly across the palm.
Will cause fatigue at thumb joint.
Example of Gloves that are too LOOSE
Gloves that are too large pose a danger as excess
glove material can catch on something and tear.
Tactile sensitivity during procedures is greatly
reduced as well.
Example of Gloves that are JUST RIGHT!
Taking off the glove:
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Taking off the second glove:
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Disposal: