Medical Hand Washing

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Medical Hand Washing

• The single most important procedure for


preventing the transfer of microorganisms,
and therefore nosocomial infections, is
correct and frequent handwashing.
Properly done handwashing protects the
patient, your co-workers, you and your
family.
Handwashing should be done:
1. Upon arrival at the unit prior to starting tour
of duty and following completion of duty
2. Before and after performing personal body
function such as eating
3. Before and after collection of specimens
4. Before and after handling used patient care
devices or inanimate sources that are likely to
be contaminated, e.g. urine measuring or
secretion-collecting devices
5. Before performing invasive procedures
6. Before taking care of particular susceptible
patients(e.g. patients with Leukemia, cancer, on
steroid and radiotherapy, and neonates)
7. Before and after touching wounds,(surgical,
traumatic or device associated)
8. After situations in which microbial
contamination is likely to occur, especially those
involving contact with mucus membranes, blood
or body fluids, secretions
9. Between contact with different patients in high
risk units
Purpose:
• To prevent or minimize the spread of
infection.
Equipment:
A. Liquid or bar soap
B. Orange wood stick
C. Paper towels
D. Soap dish
E. Lotion (optional)
F. Paper receptacle
Suggested Action Rationale
1. Stand in front of the sink. 1. The sink is considered
contaminated.
Do not allow your uniform
to touch the sink during the
procedure.
2. Removal of jewelry
facilitates proper
2. Remove jewelry. cleansing.
Microorganism can
lodge in the settings
of jewelry.
3. Turn on the water and 3. Warm water removes
adjust the flow so that the fewer oils from the skin
water is warm. If the than hot water, and
faucet is hand operated, removes microorganisms
use a paper towel in more effectively than
turning it on and off. cold water.
4. Wet the hands thoroughly 4. The water should flow
by holding them under from least contaminated
running water. Hold the area to the most
hands lower than the contaminated area, and
elbow so that the water hands are more
flows from the arms to contaminated than arms.
the fingertips
6. Dispense liquid or 6. Friction caused by firm
powdered soap, rubbing and circular
preferably with a foot motions helps loosen dirt
control. If bar soap is & organisms that can
used, get the soap without lodge between the
touching the soap dish. fingers, in skin crevices
Rinse the soap thoroughly of knuckles, on palms &
before lathering and back of hands, as well as
before returning it to the the wrist & forearms.
soap dish
7. Continue this friction 7. Length of handwashing is
motion for 10 to 30 determined by degree of
seconds.
contamination.
8. Use clean orange wood
stick to clean under 8. Organism can lodge and
fingernails. remain under the nails
where they can grow.
9. Rinse thoroughly, keep 9. Running water rinses
fingers pointed organisms and dirt into
downwards. If a faucet is the sink.
used, turn the faucet off
with a paper towel
10.Dry hands and wrists with 10. Drying the skin well
a paper towel. Use paper prevents chapping. Dry
towel to turn off faucet. hands first because they
are the cleanest and least
contaminated area.
Turning the faucet off with
a paper towel protects the
clean hands from contact
with a soiled surface.
11. Use lotion on hands if 11. Lotion helps to keep the
desired. skin soft and prevent
chapping.
END
HAPPY HAND WASHING

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