NCM 103L (FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING)

Return Demo #1: Medical Handwashing

PROCEDURE RATIONALE
I. ASSESSMENT
Inspect hands for breaks/cuts in the skin/cuticles.
1 To prevent further complications/infection.
Report & cover affected part, if possible, care.
Improper personal sanitation as well as enclosed space of
Inspect hands for heavy soiling/dirt, & nails for
2 skin creates breeding grounds for microbes & therefore must
length.
be cleaned w/ additional care.
II. PLANNING
Prepare the ff:
3 a. Soap & soap dish d. Tissue paper For easy accessibility & to prevent delay.
b. Orange stick e. *Lotion
c. Towel
III. IMPLEMENTATION
→ Roll uniform sleeves above elbow. To minimize exposure, sleeves shouldn’t come in contact w/
4 → Wristwatch & rings should be removed prior sink since bacteria flourish in moist environments & humidity
handwashing. may add to uniform infection.
→ Stand in front of sink. Contamination is avoided by not reaching into the sink as
5
→ Keep hands & uniform away from sink surface. well as gripping the edges.
Turn on water by turning faucet on or using knee or
6 Extremely hot water might cause skin irritation.
foot control to regulate water flow & temperature.
Splattering may lead to dissemination of microbes to other
7 Be careful not to splash water into uniform. locations, particularly your clothing, it can occur if you’re
using even more pressure.
Microbes & dust are washed away in the sink by flowing
8 Wet hands & elbow thoroughly under running water.
water.
Water must flow first from least towards the most
Hands & forearms should be lowered during
9 contaminated site, w/ hands being more infected than w/
washing.
lower forearms.
Apply small amount of antiseptic/soap. Lather Soap lather emulsifies lipids & cleanses the skin. The sink is
10
thoroughly. infected, & losing liquid/bar soap adds to the problem.
Build lather & use plenty of friction (min. of 10-15
secs). Interlace fingers. Rub palms & dorsum back of
hands in a circular motion at least 5x each hand.
→ Right palm over left dorsum w/ interlaced ✓ Firm rubbing & circular motions produces friction that
fingers helps dislodge dirt & bacteria & further completes
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→ Palm-to-palm w/ interlaced fingers sanitizing.
→ Interdigital gaps w/ interlaced fingers & ✓ Microbes are removed from between the fingers.
thumbs
→ Back of fingers to opposing palms w/
interlocked fingers
To allow water & contaminants to flow away from the
12 Keep fingertips down.
fingertips, reducing the risk of recontamination.
Use both hands to clean fingernails using addt.
13 To remove dirt under the nails.
soap & cuticle/orange stick.
This orientation prevents microorganism from being rinsed
Rinse hands & wrists thoroughly, keeping elbows up
14 away from the most infected to the least infected parts of the
& hands down.
hand.
→ Make a lather starting from the elbow.
15 To ensure removal of dirt.
→ Apply soap in rotating motion.
This orientation prevents water & contaminants from flowing
16 Rinse thoroughly, keeping hands lower than elbows.
from your hands back to your arms & recontaminating them.
→ Use paper towel, single use towel, or warm dryer
Restricts skin from chapping, since fingers & hands are
to dry hands.
17 already the cleanest portions, & dryness must move between
→ Dry hands thoroughly from fingers to wrists &
clean towards less clean.
forearms.
18 Discard soiled paper towel properly. To maintain cleanliness of environment.
Protects clean hands against coming into direct contact w/
19 Turn off water flow using foot/knee pedals.
contaminated tap.
→ Use clean, dry paper towel to turn off hand
To prevent recontaminating your hands since the faucet is a
20 faucet.
contaminated area.
→ Avoid touching it w/ bare hand.
Apply small amt. of lotion or barrier cream if hands
21 Lotion prevents dryness of skin.
are dry or chapped.
22 After care of equipment & environment. To maintain a safe & clean environment.