Hand Hygiene Practices in Healthcare

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Questions and Answers

In which situation should soap and water be used for hand hygiene?

When handling food without gloves (correct)

Before using an alcohol-based hand rub

When hands are visibly soiled

After applying lotion to hands

What is the primary purpose of routine hand hygiene?

To promote hygiene and prevent the spread of germs (correct)

To maintain aesthetic fashion choices

To enhance the appearance of hands

To prevent skin irritation from products

What should be avoided during hand washing to prevent contamination?

Washing with warm water

Wearing rings or bracelets (correct)

Using neutral pH liquid soap

Rubbing hands palm to palm

Which hand hygiene technique is specifically designed for surgical settings?

Surgical hand wash (scrubbing) Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration for maintaining hand hygiene in health-care settings?

Keeping nails short and clean Signup and view all the answers

How long should hands be lathered with soap during routine hand hygiene?

15-30 seconds Signup and view all the answers

When should hand hygiene be performed according to infection control guidelines?

Whenever hands are visibly soiled or after risk of contamination Signup and view all the answers

What is not recommended before using an alcohol-based hand rub?

Washing hands with soap and water Signup and view all the answers

What is one situation where latex-free gloves must be worn?

Before an aseptic procedure Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if gloves become heavily soiled?

Replace them before dealing with another patient Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the use of gloves?

Washing hands before wearing gloves is recommended Signup and view all the answers

When should you remove gloves to perform hand hygiene?

After contacting non-intact skin Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if gloves show signs of damage before use?

Replace them with a new pair Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding gloves and hand hygiene?

Gloves can eliminate germs without hand washing Signup and view all the answers

What is a proper technique for removing gloves?

Turning them inside out while removing Signup and view all the answers

What is a recommended practice to reduce hand irritation from wearing gloves?

Wearing gloves that are clean and dry inside Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of surgical hand antisepsis?

To minimize the number of pathogens on the hands and arms Signup and view all the answers

Which step is crucial for preventing recontamination of the hands during the scrub?

Working only in the direction towards the elbows Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the hands after completing the surgical scrub?

Allow water to drip off and use a sterile towel to pat dry Signup and view all the answers

During the surgical scrub, how should the hands be positioned?

Kept higher than the elbows throughout the process Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial action when performing a surgical hand scrub?

Wet hands and forearms and apply the solution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following should you avoid during the surgical scrub?

Letting hands touch any other surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of aseptic/clinical hand hygiene?

To remove transient micro-organisms and inhibit growth of resident micro-organisms Signup and view all the answers

When is the antimicrobial agent applied during the surgical hand scrub?

Immediately upon wetting the hands and forearms Signup and view all the answers

In what situation must hands be washed with soap and water instead of using alcohol-based hand hygiene products?

When hands are visibly soiled Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration for rubbing the fingertips on the palm during scrubbing?

2 minutes Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of the alcohol-based hand hygiene procedure?

Wash hands with antimicrobial soap for one minute Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of using alcohol-based hand hygiene products over regular soap?

They reduce bacterial counts on hands effectively Signup and view all the answers

What technique should be used for rubbing hands during the alcohol-based hand hygiene process?

Palm to palm with interlaced fingers Signup and view all the answers

How should taps be turned off after washing hands to maintain hygiene?

By using a paper towel Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of alcohol-based hand hygiene products?

Require longer time than handwashing Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action regarding jewellery during hand hygiene procedures?

Remove all jewellery before starting the procedure Signup and view all the answers

When should gloves be worn?

Before a sterile procedure Signup and view all the answers

Which situation does NOT require gloves to be worn?

Entering a non-contaminated room Signup and view all the answers

What should be done once gloves are damaged?

Remove the gloves immediately Signup and view all the answers

When is it appropriate to remove gloves after contact with blood?

After the contact has ended Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if PPE becomes heavily splashed?

Change the PPE immediately Signup and view all the answers

Why is skill important when using PPE?

It is essential for the effectiveness of PPE Signup and view all the answers

In which situation should PPE be reassessed?

Whenever a new patient is encountered Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of using PPE?

To protect both healthcare staff and patients Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is a general term for any hand cleaning action.
It involves removing visible soil and killing transient microorganisms while maintaining skin integrity.
Healthcare workers, caregivers, and those involved in patient care need to practice correct hand hygiene at the right time.

Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

1. Before touching a patient: Clean hands before touching a patient when approaching them.
- Includes situations like shaking hands, stroking a child's forehead, helping with personal care (like bathing, eating, or dressing), delivering care/noninvasive treatment, and performing a physical noninvasive exam (like taking pulse, blood pressure, or recording ECG).
2. Before clean/aseptic procedure: Clean hands immediately before accessing a critical site with infection risks (like mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or invasive medical device).
- Examples include brushing teeth, inserting eye drops, performing exams (such as vaginal, rectal, oral, nasal, or ear), dressing wounds, applying ointments, inserting devices (like catheters or tubes), preparing food/medications, etc.
3. After body fluid exposure risk: Clean hands as soon as exposure to body fluids ends (and after glove removal).
- Covers tasks involving exposure to body fluids such as changing bed linens, adjusting perfusion speed, and clearing alarms related to monitoring.
4. After touching a patient: Clean hands when leaving the patient's side (after touching them).
- Includes activities such as shaking hands, assisting with personal care, performing non-invasive exams, and delivering care/non-invasive treatment.
5. After touching patient surroundings: Clean hands after touching objects/furniture in the patient's surroundings (without touching the patient).
- Examples of activities include changing bed linens in the presence of the patient, adjusting monitoring equipment, administering medications or food, holding the bed tray, and leaning against the bedside table.

Hand Hygiene Techniques

Routine/Social Hand Washing: Use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled.
Alcohol Hand Rub: Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Aseptic/Clinical Hand Hygiene: Use a specific technique for direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or invasive medical devices (involving using antimicrobial soap).
Surgical Hand Wash (scrubbing): Uses a specific scrubbing technique with antimicrobial soap to remove transient microorganisms from hands.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE is special equipment for patients and medical staff to prevent disease exposure.
Health professionals should wear PPE when procedures carry an infection risk and use the equipment correctly and safely during procedures.
PPE includes but isn't limited to gowns, respirators, eyewear, and gloves.
PPE provides protection from risks.
PPE should be changed if heavily soiled/between procedures with different patients.

Donning PPE

Hand Hygiene
Gown
Mask/Respirator
Eye Protection
Gloves

Removing PPE

Gloves
Gown
Hand Hygiene
Eye Protection
Mask/Respirator
Hand Hygiene

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Description

This quiz explores the essential practices of hand hygiene in healthcare settings. It covers the critical moments when handwashing is necessary to ensure patient safety and infection control. Understanding these practices is vital for healthcare workers and caregivers.