Handwashing Procedure Checklist

• Performance evaluation checklist for handwashing.

Hand Hygiene Moments

• Determining the need to perform the procedure involves utilizing 5 moments of hand hygiene.
• Moment 1: Before touching a patient
• Moment 2: Before clean / aseptic procedure
• Moment 3: After body fluid exposure risk.
• Moment 4: After touching a patient
• Moment 5: After touching a patient's surroundings

Hand Assessment

• Assess hands, ensuring nails are kept short, jewelry is removed, and checking for skin injuries like cuts, lacerations, and abrasions.

Nursing Diagnosis

• Risk for infection is a consideration.

Planning Phase

• Prepare all materials and supplies needed, including an easy-to-reach sink with warm, running water, antimicrobial soap, paper towels or air dryer, and a clean orangewood stick if desired.

Handwashing Implementation

• Push wristwatch and long uniform sleeves above wrists, and avoid wearing rings.
• Stand in front of the sink, keeping hands and uniform away from the sink surface; repeat if hands touch the sink during handwashing.
• Avoid splashing water against the uniform.
• Regulate the flow of water to a warm temperature.
• Wet hands and wrists thoroughly under running water. Keep hands and forearms lower than elbows during washing.
• Apply a small amount of soap or antiseptic, lathering thoroughly.
• Rub hands palm to palm.
• Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
• Rub the right palm over the left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa.
• Perform rotational rubbing of the left thumb clasped in the right palm and vice versa.
• Interlock fingers, rubbing the backs of fingers to opposing palms.
• Perform rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of the right hand in the left palm and vice versa.
• Rub each wrist with the opposite hand.
• Rinse hands and wrists thoroughly with water, keeping hands down and elbows up.
• Dry hands thoroughly from fingers to wrists and forearms with a paper towel, single-use cloth, or warm air dryer, and discard the used paper in a receptacle.
• To turn off the faucet, use a clean, dry paper, avoiding touching handles with hands, or turn off the water with foot or knee pedals, if applicable.

Evaluation

• Inspect the surface of hands for obvious signs of dirt or other contaminants.
• Total score is out of 30 points
• Rating is calculated: Actual Score/ Total Score x 50 + 50