Hand Hygiene Using Soap and Water

Introduction

• Importance of hand hygiene in healthcare.
• Two methods:
  • Soap and water
  • Alcohol-based hand rub

When to Perform Hand Hygiene

• Before and After:
  • Patient care
  • Contact with body fluids or open wounds
  • Touching patient surroundings (e.g. bedside table, bed handrails)
  • Eating
  • Using the bathroom

Soap and Water vs. Alcohol-Based Hand Rub

• Soap and Water:
  • Hands are visibly dirty
  • Exposure to Clostridium difficile (C-diff)
  • During facility outbreaks or high endemic rates
  • Exposure to infectious diarrhea or norovirus outbreaks
  • Suspected/proven exposure to Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax)
  • Before eating
  • After using the restroom

Supplies Needed

• Soap
• Paper towels
• Running water (faucets vary: automatic, pedal, manual handles)

Jewelry Considerations

• Avoid wearing jewelry during patient care due to germ harboring.
• Simple wedding bands may be allowed; clean them during hand hygiene.

Hand Washing Procedure

1. Turn on Water:

   • Use warm water to avoid skin dryness and cracking.
   • Avoid contact of scrubs with sink.

2. Wet Hands and Wrists:

   • Keep hands lower than elbows.

3. Apply Soap:

   • Use about 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of soap.

4. Lather and Scrub:

   • Use circular motions to scrub for 20 seconds.
   • Focus on all hand areas, especially small crevices:
     • Palms
     • Backs of hands
     • Thumbs and individual fingers
     • Around fingernails and knuckles
     • Between fingers
     • Wrists and up to one inch above wrists

5. Rinse Soap Off:

   • Let water flow from wrists down to fingertips.

6. Dry Hands:

   • Pat dry with paper towel.
   • Discard towel.

7. Turn Off Faucet:

   • Use dry paper towel to avoid re-contamination.
   • Discard paper towel.

Conclusion

• Proper hand hygiene prevents the spread of infection.
• Use of wet paper towel to turn off faucet can re-contaminate hands.
• Follow guidelines for effective and safe hand washing.

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