Effective Handwashing

1
Effective Handwashing
2
WHY Should We Wash Our Hands?
?
?
?
3
It is known that handwashing causes a
significant reduction in the carriage of
potential pathogens on the hands.
4
Handwash(ing)

• A process for the removal of soil and transient
  microorganisms from the hands.

5
Hand Antisepsis

• A process for the
• removal or destruction
• of transient microorganisms.

6
Antimicrobial Soap

• A soap containing an ingredient with in-vitro and
  in-vivo activity against skin flora.

7
Health Care Personnel Hand wash

• A broad-spectrum, anti-microbial preparation that
  is fast-acting, non-irritating, and designed for
  frequent use that reduces the number of transient
  flora on intact skin to a baseline level.

8
Transient Flora

• Microorganisms isolated from the skin but not
  demonstrated to be consistently present in the
  majority of persons.
• A.K.A. contaminating flora or non colonizing
  flora.

9
The decision regarding when hand washing should
occur depends on
WHEN Should We Wash Our Hands?

• The intensity of contact with patients.
• The degree of contamination that is likely to
  occur with that contact.
• The susceptibility of patients to infection.
• The procedure to be performed.

10
WHEN Should We Wash Our Hands?
Hands must be washed thoroughly with soap and
water . . .

• When visibly soiled
• Before and after patient contact
• After contact with a source of microorganisms
• After removing gloves

11
WHEN Should We Wash Our Hands?

• Before the performance of invasive procedures.
• When persistent antimicrobial
• activity on the hands is desired.
• When it is important to reduce
• numbers of resident skin flora in addition to
  transient microorganisms.

12
HOW Should We Wash Our Hands?

• Wet hands with running water.
• Apply soap. Thoroughly distribute soap over all
  hand surfaces.
• Vigorously rub hands together for 10-15 seconds.
• Rinse soap.
• Dry hands with a disposable towel.
• Turn water off using a disposable towel (unless
  foot operated).

13
A Few Helpful Tips . . .

• Be sure to thoroughly wash all skin surfaces.
• Pay close attention to hard-to-reach areas
• Between the fingers
• Finger tips
• Under the nails
• Use a nail brush if necessary
• Use warm water not too hot, not too cold

14
A Few Other Suggestions . . .

• Lotions
• Lotions may be used to prevent skin dryness.
• Jewelry
• Total bacterial counts are higher when rings are
  worn.

15
Alcohol Gel Waterless Hand Antiseptics

• Use high concentrations of alcohol to provide
  hand antisepsis
• Usually 60-65 ethyl alcohol
• Do not require water
• Do not require hand drying with a towel