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HANDWASHING

This document provides guidelines for proper handwashing techniques to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. It lists when hands should be washed, such as before preparing food and after using the bathroom. The necessary supplies for handwashing are soap, warm running water, and paper towels. Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for three handwashing methods: antiseptic handrub using alcohol-based products, antiseptic handwash involving thorough scrubbing for 30 seconds, and surgical antisepsis maintaining sterile technique particularly important before surgery.

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Eden Rose Rivera
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95 views2 pages

HANDWASHING

This document provides guidelines for proper handwashing techniques to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria. It lists when hands should be washed, such as before preparing food and after using the bathroom. The necessary supplies for handwashing are soap, warm running water, and paper towels. Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for three handwashing methods: antiseptic handrub using alcohol-based products, antiseptic handwash involving thorough scrubbing for 30 seconds, and surgical antisepsis maintaining sterile technique particularly important before surgery.

Uploaded by

Eden Rose Rivera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HANDWASHING

Objectives: To reduce germs and bacteria found on the hands to safe levels, to prevent or to eliminate
the spread of bacteria and viruses.

When should you wash your hands


 Before, during and after preparing food
 Before eating food
 Before and after caring for someone who is sick
 Before and after treating a cut or wound
 After using the toilet
 After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
 After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
 After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
 After handling pet food or pet treats
 After touching garbage
Equipment
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 Handrub
The use of alcohol-based handrub.
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 Handwash
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.

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