Republic of the Philippines
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
(University of the City of Manila)
General Luna Street comer Muralla Street
Intramuros, Manila
COLLEGE OF NURSING
(Dalubhasaan ng Narsing)
BACON – SKILLS LABORATORY CHECKLIST # 1
Medical Hand Washing Technique
Name: ________________________ Date: __________
Year Level and Block: ___________ Clinical Instructor: ___________
Rating scale:
3 - Performed correctly , systematically according to standard with correct
rationale.
2 - Performed correctly , systematically but with inadequate/incorrect rationale.
1 - Performed correctly , not systematically with inadequate/incorrect rationale.
0 - Performed incorrectly/not done.
Purpose
Prevents the growth and spread of pathogenic microorganisms from one individual
or environment to another individual or environment
Objectives of the Procedure:
To reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands
To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to clients
To reduce the risk of cross contamination among clients
To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious organisms to oneself
Equipment/Materials needed:
Soap (bar or liquid, preferably antimicrobial/antibacterial soap)
Tap or lukewarm running water
Paper towels or single use cloth/towel (clean and dry)
Special consideration
An anti-microbial soap product or use of antiseptic cleaning agent is recommended
before an invasive procedure, wound care, dressing changes and after exposure to blood
or body fluids. Antiseptic cleaning is also recommended before working in isolation
rooms, neonate nurseries and before caring for highly susceptible patients. The length of
the scrub will vary based on need.
Health care workers who wear rings have a higher bacterial count after washing than
those who wore no rings.
Sinks with various faucet controls are available. In addition to the more common hand
faucets, knee and foot operated control may be used. Sinks with elbow control are
generally used in a surgical setting.
Follow facility policy on when to wash with soap and when to use an antiseptic cleaning
agent
Always wash your hands after removing gloves
If there is no running water, disinfect your hands with an antiseptic cleaning agent
If your hands aren’t visibly soiled, am alcohol-based hand rub can be used for routine
decontamination
Implementation of the procedure:
Performance Remarks/Suggestion
Procedure/Steps 3 2 1 0 DEMERIT
1. Prepare the equipment/materials
needed.
Note: Determine the location of
running water/sink/faucet and soap or
soap substitutes.
2. Prepare and asses your hand.
Remove jewelry.
Ensure that nails are kept
short.
Check hands for breaks in the
or
cuts and if heavily soiled.
3. Stand in front of sink, keeping
hands and uniform away from sink
surface during the washing procedure.
Note: If hand/s touches sink during
hand washing repeat the procedure.
4. Turn on the water.
The five common types of faucet
controls areas.
a. Hand-operated handles.
b. Knee levers.
c. Foot pedals.
d. Elbows controls. Move these with
the elbows instead of the hands.
e. Infrared control. Motion in front of
the sensor causes water to start
and stop flowing automatically.
5. Regulate flow of water so that
temperature is warm.
Note: Avoid splashing water against
uniform.
6. Wet the hands and wrist area
thoroughly by holding them lower than
the elbow under running water so that
the water flows from the wrist to the
fingertips.
Keep hands and forearms
lower when washing
7. Apply soap to the hands. Cover all
areas of hands with the soap product
and rub vigorously
If soap is liquid, apply 3-5ml (1
tsp.)
If it is bar soap, rub firmly
between hands and rinse the
bar soap before returning it to
the dish.
8. With soap on hands, rub vigorously
keep fingertips down to facilitate
removal of microorganism using
plenty of lather and friction for at least
5x, each of the following steps for the
duration of 15-30 seconds.
a. Palm to palm
b. Right palm over left dorsum and
left palm over right dorsum.
c. Palm to palm fingers interlaced.
d. Backs of fingers to opposing
palm with fingers interlocked.
e. Rotational rubbing backwards of
right thumb clasped in left palm
and vice versa.
f. Rotational rubbing backwards
and forwards with clasped fingers
of right hand in left palm and vice
versa.
Note:
If the hands are heavily soiled
wash at least 1 inch above
area of contamination.
If hands are not visibly soiled,
wash to 1 inch above the
wrists.
9. Rinse hands from fingers to wrist
thoroughly under flow of running water
keeping hands down and elbow up.
Note: Repeat 7 to 9 and
extend period of washing if
hands are heavily soiled.
10. Pat dry the hands thoroughly
moving from fingers to wrist and
forearms (if applicable) without
rubbing the paper towel or single-use
cloth/towel.
11. Discard paper towel in proper
receptacles.
If cloth towel is used, dry one hand
thoroughly in rotating motion from the
fingers to wrist (or elbow if applicable)
using other end towel and dry the
other hand and arm with other half of
the towel.
12. Turn off water as per the type of
the faucet control.
To turn off hand faucet, use
clean, dry paper towel.
Avoid touching handles with
hands.
Documentation
Document proper hand washing as it pertains to specific patient care
Evaluation
Infection is prevented from spreading.
Cross contamination is prevented.
Nurse is protected from infection.
References:
Lynn, Pamela (2011). Taylor’s Clinic Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach 3rd Edition.
Wolkers Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Nurses’ Guide to Clinical Procedures 6th Edition, 2010. Jean Smith-Temple, Joyce Young
Johnson
Nurse’s Quick Check – Skills. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Total Deduction of Demerit: ________
Prescribed Hair (__)
Prescribed Uniform (__)
Completeness of paraphernalia/equipment/supplies (__)
Total score: _____________
I fully understand how I was graded for this skill and it was properly explained to me.
______________________________
Student’s FULLNAME & Signature
Date: ______________
I have explained and discussed how I have graded my student for this particular skill.
___________________________
Clinical Instructor FULLNAME & Signature
Date: _________
Prepared by: Prof. Maria Andrea L. Endeno – 2nd Semester 2017-2018
Modified/Revised by: Dr. Jennifer P. Reyes and Prof. Aris S. Santos – 2nd Semester 2023-2024
Republic of the Philippines
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
(University of the City of Manila)
General Luna Street comer Muralla Street
Intramuros, Manila
COLLEGE OF NURSING
(Dalubhasaan ng Narsing)
BACON – SKILLS LABORATORY CHECKLIST # 1
Medical Hand Washing
Purpose
Prevents the growth and spread of pathogenic microorganisms from one individual
or environment to another individual or environment
Objectives of the Procedure:
To reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands
To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms to clients
To reduce the risk of cross contamination among clients
To reduce the risk of transmission of infectious organisms to oneself
Equipment/Materials needed:
Soap (bar or liquid, preferably antimicrobial/antibacterial soap)
Tap or lukewarm running water
Paper towels or single use cloth/towel (clean and dry)
Special consideration
An anti-microbial soap product or use of antiseptic cleaning agent is recommended
before an invasive procedure, wound care, dressing changes and after exposure to blood
or body fluids. Antiseptic cleaning is also recommended before working in isolation
rooms, neonate nurseries and before caring for highly susceptible patients. The length of
the scrub will vary based on need.
Health care workers who wear rings have a higher bacterial count after washing than
those who wore no rings.
Sinks with various faucet controls are available. In addition to the more common hand
faucets, knee and foot operated control may be used. Sinks with elbow control are
generally used in a surgical setting.
Follow facility policy on when to wash with soap and when to use an antiseptic cleaning
agent
Always wash your hands after removing gloves
If there is no running water, disinfect your hands with an antiseptic cleaning agent
If your hands aren’t visibly soiled, am alcohol-based hand rub can be used for routine
decontamination
Implementation of the procedure:
STEPS RATIONALE
1. Prepare the equipment/materials needed. To save time and effort
Note: Determine the location of running
water/sink/faucet and soap or soap substitutes.
2. Prepare and asses your hand. Provide complete access to fingers, hands and
Remove jewelry. wrists.
Microorganism can lodge in the settings of
jewelry. Removal facilitates proper cleaning
of the hands and arms (if needed).
Ensure that nails are kept short. Short, natural nails are less likely to harbor
microorganism, scratch a client, or puncture
gloves.
Check hands for breaks in the or Open cuts or wounds can harbor high
cuts and if heavily soiled. concentration of microorganism. A nurse who
has open sores may have to change work
assignment or wear gloves to avoid contact
with infectious materials.
A heavily soiled hand requires longer hand
washing.
3. Stand in front of sink, keeping hands and uniform Inside of sink is a contaminated area.
away from sink surface during the washing procedure. Reaching over sink increases risk of touching
Note: If hand/s touches sink during hand the edge, which is contaminated.
washing repeat the procedure.
4. Turn on the water. Running water rinses dirt and microorganism
The five common types of faucet controls are: away into the sink.
a. Hand-operated handles.
b. Knee levers.
c. Foot pedals.
d. Elbows controls. Move these with
the elbows instead of the hands.
e. Infrared control. Motion in front of
the sensor causes water to start
and stop flowing automatically.
5. Regulate flow of water so that temperature is warm. Warm water removes less of the protective oil
Note: Avoid splashing water against uniform. of the skin.
Cold water does not facilitate suds in
cleaning.
Water splashed from the contaminated sink
will contaminate clothing. Microorganism
travel and grow in moisture.
6. Wet the hands and wrist area thoroughly by holding Wetting the hands thoroughly before applying
them lower than the elbow under running water so that soap facilitate removal of pathogen.
the water flows from the wrist to the fingertips.
Note: Keep hands and forearms lower when Water should flow from least to most
washing contaminated area; hands are the most
contaminated parts to be washed; permits
cleaning of the dirtiest areas without risking
contamination of other less dirty areas.
7. Apply soap to the hands. Cover all areas of hands Soap cleanses by emulsifying fat and oil and
with the soap product and rub vigorously lowering surface tension.
If soap is liquid, apply 3-5ml (1 tsp.)
If it is bar soap, rub firmly between hands and Rinsing the bar soap removes microorganism.
rinse the bar soap before returning it to the dish.
8. With soap on hands, rub vigorously keep fingertips Length of time for hand washing is
down to facilitate removal of microorganism using determined by degree of contamination.
plenty of lather and friction for at least 5x, each of the
following steps for the duration of 15-30 seconds.
a. Palm to palm Friction and rubbing mechanically loosen and
b. Right palm over left dorsum and removes dirt, transient bacteria and or
left palm over right dorsum. microorganisms.
c. Palm to palm fingers interlaced. Interlacing the fingers and thumbs clean the
d. Backs of fingers to opposing interdigital spaces and ensures that all
palm with fingers interlocked. surfaces are cleaned.
e. Rotational rubbing backwards of Rational or circular action helps remove
right thumb clasped in left palm microorganism mechanically.
and vice versa.
f. Rotational rubbing backwards The nails and fingertips are commonly missed
and forwards with clasped fingers during hard hygiene
of right hand in left palm and vice
versa.
Note:
If the hands are heavily soiled wash at least 1
inch above area of contamination.
If hands are not visibly soiled, wash to 1 inch
above the wrists.
9. Rinse hands from fingers to wrist thoroughly under Rinsing the hands under running water
flow of running water keeping hands down and elbow mechanically washes away dirt and
up. microorganism.
Repeat 7 to 9 and extend period of washing if The water should flow from the least
hands are heavily soiled. contaminated to the most contaminated area.
10. Pat dry the hands thoroughly moving from fingers Drying from cleanest (fingertips) to least
to wrist and forearms (if applicable) without rubbing clean area (forearms) avoids contamination.
the paper towel or single-use cloth/towel. Drying hands prevent chapping and
roughened skin.
Moist skin becomes chapped readily as it dry
skin that is rubbed vigorously; chapping
produces lesions.
11. Discard paper towel in proper receptacles. Prevent transfer of microorganism.
If cloth towel is used, dry one hand thoroughly Clean, dry towel prevents the transfer of
in rotating motion from the fingers to wrist (or microorganism from one hand to the other.
elbow if applicable) using other end towel and
dry the other hand and arm with other half of
the towel.
12. Turn off water as per the type of the faucet control. Placing a barrier between the fingers and the
To turn off hand faucet, use clean, dry paper hand-controlled faucet prevents the
towel. transmission of microorganism to the clean
Avoid touching handles with hands. hands.
Documentation
Document proper hand washing as it pertains to specific patient care
Evaluation
Infection is prevented from spreading.
Cross contamination is prevented.
Nurse is protected from infection.
References:
Lynn, Pamela (2011). Taylor’s Clinic Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach 3rd Edition.
Wolkers Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Nurses’ Guide to Clinical Procedures 6th Edition, 2010. Jean Smith-Temple, Joyce Young
Johnson
Nurse’s Quick Check – Skills. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Prepared by: Prof. Maria Andrea L. Endeno – 2nd Semester 2017-2018
Modified/Revised by: Dr. Jennifer P. Reyes and Prof. Aris S. Santos – 2nd Semester 2023-
2024
