University of Cebu – Banilad
College of Nursing
Cebu City
SKILLS LABORATORY PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST
MEDICAL HANDWASHING
Name: Kyle Vincent O. Intud Year & Section: BSN1-I Grade: __________
DEFINITION:
It is the rubbing together of all surfaces and crevices of the hands using a soap or chemical and
water.
PURPOSE:
Prevent and control transmission of infectious agents.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED: LEGEND:
Soap 1 - Excellent
Sink 2 – Very Satisfactory
Paper or cloth towels 3 – Satisfactory
Running water 4 –Needs Improvement
5 – Poor
E VS S NI P
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
1 2 3 4 5
1. Prepare materials. To avoid delay or minimize waste
of time.
2. Remove jewelry. Push sleeves of uniform Microorganisms can lodge in the
or shirt up above the wrist at mid forearm setting of jewelry and under rings.
level. Removal facilitates proper
cleaning of the hands and arms.
The nurse's hands will be cleansed
adequately to remove
microorganisms.
3. Assess hands for hangnails, cuts, or breaks Short, natural nails are less likely
in the skin, and areas that are heavily to harbor microorganisms, scratch
soiled. a client, or puncture gloves. Long
nails are hard to clean.
4. Turn on the water. Adjust the flow and Warm water removes less of the
temperature. protective oil of the skin than hot
water. Adjusting the flow prevents
splashing of water.
5. Wet hands and lower forearms thoroughly The water should flow from the
by holding under running water. Keep least contaminated to the most
hands and forearms in the down position contaminated area, the hands are
with elbows straight. Avoid splashing considered more contaminated
water and touching the sides of the sink. than the lower arms.
6. Apply about 5ml of liquid soap, or place This required ample amount of
bar soap on hand and rub vigorously. soap helps in easy lathering that
Lather thoroughly. helps in breaking up the oily dirt,
the lather also helps dirt to be
easily rinsed away.
7. Thoroughly rub hands together for about 10 The circular motion creates
to 15 seconds. Interlace fingers and thumbs friction that helps remove
and move back and forth to wash between microorganisms mechanically.
digits. Rub palms and back of hands with Interlacing the fingers and thumbs
circular motion. Special attention should be cleans the interdigital spaces. The
provided to areas such as knuckles and
nails, knuckles, and fingertips are
fingernails, which are known to harbour
commonly missed during hand
organisms.
washing.
8. Rinse with hands in the down position, The removed soap residue and
elbows straight. Rinse in the direction of prevented dripping of water
forearm to wrist to fingers. towards the patient and the nurse.
9. Blot hands and forearms to dry thoroughly. Moist skin becomes chapped
Dry in the direction of fingers to wrist and readily as does dry skin that is
forearms. Discard paper towels in the rubbed vigorously, chapping
proper receptacle. produces lesions.
10. Turn off the water faucet with a clean, dry This prevents the nurse from
paper towel. picking up microorganisms from
the faucet.
POST-PROCEDURE ACTIVITY:
11. After Care To prepare the hand washing area
for the next user.
ATTITUDE OF THE STUDENT:
12. Accepts constructive suggestion and To enhance the skills, knowledge,
criticisms. and attitude of the nurse on proper
handwashing.
13. Assumes accountability. Cultivates a positive attitude of
willingness to accept
responsibility or to account for
one’s actions.
Source:
Daniel, Ricks. Nursing Fundamentals: Caring and Clinical Decision Making. Thomson Asian Edition.
United States: Delmar, 2004, pp. 518-519.
Smith-Temple, Jean. Nurses’ Guide to Clinical Procedures. 5th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott William and
Wilkins, 2006, pp. 12-13.
SCORING: 1 x _____ = _______
2 x _____ = _______
3 x _____ = _______
4 x _____ = _______
5 x _____ = _______
Total divided by no. of items = _______
COMMENTS:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
Kyle Vincent O. Intud ________________________
Student’s Name and signature Clinical Instructor’s Signature
2/9/2021
DATE
