Hand
Hygiene
Janet Weber,
H, MEd
Why Is Hand Hygiene
Important?
Hands are the most common
mode of pathogen transmission
Hand washing is an extremely
important step in overall infection
control
Hand washing significantly removes
the bacterial flora on the skin
Hand washing protects you and your
patient from the bacterial flora (from
each other) from becoming skin
residents
HAND WASHING
BEFORE AND AFTER
CONTACT WITH
EACH PATIENT IS
THE SINGLE MOST
IMPORTANT MEANS
OF PREVENTING
THE SPREAD OF
INFECTION
Hands should be washed with hand soap OR
Alcohol base rubs may be used if hands are not
visibly soiled. Studies show that using an alcohol
rub for a minimum of 10 seconds can be more
effective in removing the bacterial flora on the
hands than hand washing.
Antibacterial hand soaps are not necessarily
recommended due the drying effect it has on the
skin when used frequently. Cracking (open
surface) can lead to surface infections on the
hands.
Hand Hygiene
Definitions:
Hand washing
Washing hands with plain soap and water
Antiseptic hand wash
Washing hands with water and soap or other
detergents containing an antiseptic agent
Alcohol-based hand rub
Rubbing hands with an alcohol-containing
preparation (used after hand washing)
Surgical antisepsis
Hand washing with antiseptic soap or alcohol-based
handrub before operations by surgical personnel
(Antiseptic preparations for surgical hand hygiene
should have persistent (long-lasting) antimicrobial
activity)
When to Wash:
Visibly dirty
After touching contaminated
objects with bare hands
Before and after patient
treatment (before glove
placement and after glove
removal)
Optional use of alcohol based
hand rub is acceptable if
hands are not visibly soiled
Hand washing before and after
contact with each patient is the single
most important hygiene measure for
reducing or preventing the spread of
Rings and Jewelry
Hand jewelry should not be
worn as it may tear gloves
and harbor bacteria
Studies have demonstrated
that skin underneath rings is
more heavily colonized than
comparable areas of skin on
fingers without rings
the
more rings worn, the
greater concentration of
Studies have demonstrated that skin
underneath rings is more heavily
colonized than comparable areas of
skin on fingers without rings. The more
rings worn, the greater concentration
of organisms
Fingernails
Can affect the integrity of gloves
Can also harbor bacteria
Keep fingernails SHORT!
Avoid artificial nails
Avoid chipped nail polish
Hand Hygiene: Frequently
Missed Areas
Courtesy
Courtesy of
of SDS
SDS Kerr
Kerr
Technique
Initial scrub- 30 seconds
Interlace fingers during scrub
Create friction while washing
Hand washing
Initially (when first preparing
for the clinic session)- hands must
be washed with antiseptic hand
wash for a minimum of 30 seconds.
It is extremely important at this time
to focus on technique!
Interlace
fingers
Clean under nails and around cuticles
Hand Hygiene Technique
Routine Dental Procedures
Hand washing
Wet hands with cool or lukewarm water, apply
soap, rub hands together for at least 15
seconds
Rinse and dry with disposable towel
Use towel to turn off faucet
Hand rubs
Apply to palm of one hand, rub hands
together covering all surfaces until dry
Volume:
Based on manufacturer’s instructions
Guideline
Guideline for
for Hand
Hand Hygiene
Hygiene in
in Health-care
Health-care Settings.
Settings. MMWR
MMWR 2002;
2002; vol.
vol. 51,
51, no.
no. RR-16.
RR-16.
Types of Gloves”
Food industry
Surgical
Housekeeping
Gloves and regulations
Glove Fit:
Should be
available in a
variety of sizes
and types
May causes hand
fatigue if gloves
don’t fit correctly
Glove integrity
may be
compromised
Injury is more
likely to occur do
to an ill fitting
glove
Example of Gloves that are
too TIGHT
Will cause fatigue as fingers try to flex
Pulls too tightly across the
palm.
Will cause fatigue at thumb
joint.
Example of Gloves that are
too LOOSE
Gloves that are too large pose a danger as
excess
glove material can catch on something
and tear.
Tactile sensitivity during procedures is
Example of Gloves that are
JUST RIGHT!
Taking off the first
glove:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Taking off the second
glove:
2.
1.
5.
4.
6
.
