R.Devisri, B.

Sc(N)
Nursing tutor
KVCN.
HAND HYGIENE AND HANDWASHING

DEFINITION:

 Hand washing is the act of cleaning one’s hands with the use of any liquid with or
without soap for the purpose of removing dirt or microorganisms. It is the most effective
measure in reducing the risk of transmitting infectious diseases.

 It cannot be said too often that hand washing is the most important and most basic
technique in preventing and controlling infections. It is the single most
effective infection control measure.

TERMS

To understand this study guide better, familiarize yourself with the terms used:

 Hand Hygiene. It is a general term that applies to hand washing, antiseptic hand wash,
antiseptic hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis
 Hand Washing. It is defined as the washing of hands with plain (i.e., non-antimicrobial)
soap and water.
 Antiseptic Hand wash. A term that applies to hand washing with an antimicrobial soap
and water.
 Surgical Hand Antisepsis. Commonly called as a surgical hand scrub. This is to remove
as many microorganisms from the hands as possible before the sterile procedure.
CONCEPTS

Principles and concepts surrounding hand hygiene:

 You must use running water in a sink that drains out instead of using a basin.
 You may use soap – antibacterial soap if necessary.
 You must rub your hands against each other for at least 30 seconds to facilitate removal
of microorganisms.
 Long nails and jewelry trap germs. It is best to keep fingernails short. If you wear a ring,
it is better not to remove the ring before hand washing so that it can be washed too.
 It is always better to use disposable paper towels than to use cloth towel when drying
hands to ensure that you can only use those once.
 The faucet is always considered dirty and it is recommended to turn it off using a paper
towel in the absence of the ideal sensor or foot pedal.
 Dispensers of soap should be used until completely empty. Once emptied, it should be
washed before refilled.

PURPOSES

The purposes of hand hygiene are:

 Hand washing can prevent infection

 Avoid pathogenic microorganisms and to avoid transmitting them

TYPES OF HAND HYGIENE

The following are the types of hand hygiene:

  Routine handwash. Use of water and non-antimicrobial soap for the purpose of
removing soil and transient microorganisms.
 Antiseptic handwash. Use of water and antimicrobial soap (e.g., chlorhexidine, iodine
and iodophors, chloroxylenol [PCMX], triclosan) for the purpose of removing or
destroying transient microorganisms and reduce resident flora.
 Antiseptic handrub. Use of alcohol-based handrub.
 Surgical antisepsis. Use of water and antimicrobial soap (e.g., chlorhexidine, iodine and
iodophors, chloroxylenol [PCMX], triclosan) for the purpose of removing or destroying
transient microorganisms and reduce resident flora. Recommended duration is 2-6
minutes.

INDICATORS OF HAND HYGIENE

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are Five Moments for Hand Hygiene:

1. Before Patient Contact.

2. Before and Antiseptic Task.
3. After Body Fluid Exposure Risk.
4. After Patient Contact.
5. After Contact with Patient Surroundings.
SUPPLIES NEEDED

The following materials or equipment are needed to perform hand washing:

 Soap or detergent
 Warm running water
 Paper towels
 Alcohol
 Optional: Antiseptic cleaner, fingernail brush, plastic cuticle stick

PROCEDURES

Below are the step-by-step guide for different hand hygiene methods:

Antiseptic Hand rub

The use of alcohol-based hand rub.

1. Ensure jewellery has been removed

2. Apply quantity of alcohol-based hand hygiene product as per manufacturer’s

recommendations into cupped hand.

3. Rub hands palm to palm

4. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa.

5. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced

6. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlaced

7. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
8. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left
palm and vice versa

9. Rubbing hands together until hands are dry before continuing with patient care, do not rub off
excess product

Antiseptic Hand wash

Also known as clean technique, includes procedures used to reduce the number of organisms on
hands.

1. Gather the necessary supplies. Stand in front of the sink.

2. Wet the hands and wrist area. Keep hands lower than elbows to allow water to flow towards
the fingertips.

3. Cover all areas of hands with soap.

4. With firm rubbing and circular motions, wash the palms and backs of the hands, each finger,
the knuckles, wrists, and forearms. Continue this friction motion for 30 seconds.

5. Rinse thoroughly with water flowing towards the fingertips.

6. Pat hands dry, beginning with the fingers and moving upward towards forearms, with a paper
towel and discard immediately.

7. In the absence of sensors or foot pedal, use another clean paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Surgical Antisepsis

Also known as sterile technique, prevents contamination of an open wound, serves to isolate
the operative area from the unsterile environment, and maintains a sterile field for surgery.
1. Remove all pieces of jewelry.

2. Wet hands using sterile water with water closest to your body temperature.

3. Wash hands using antimicrobial soap and/or povidone-iodine.

4. Clean subungual areas with a nail file.

5. Scrub each side of each finger, between the fingers, and the backs and fronts of the hands for
at least 4 minutes.

6. Proceed to scrub the hands, keeping the hand higher than the arm at all times to prevent
bacteria-laden soap and water from contaminating the hands.

7. Rinse hands and arms by passing them through the flowing water in one direction only, from
fingertips to elbow.

8. Proceed to the operating room holding hands above elbows.

9. Dry hands and arms using sterile towel observing aseptic technique.