Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are universal precautions?
What are universal precautions?
Steps we follow to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.
What is the purpose of hand hygiene?
What is the purpose of hand hygiene?
To reduce the number of germs on hands and prevent the spread of germs.
Which of the following is NOT an element of standard precautions?
Which of the following is NOT an element of standard precautions?
- Routine hand washing
- Ignoring environmental cleaning (correct)
- Hand hygiene
- Use of personal protective equipment
Match the type of hand hygiene with its description:
Match the type of hand hygiene with its description:
Transmission-based precautions are only needed when a patient is known to have an infection.
Transmission-based precautions are only needed when a patient is known to have an infection.
The five moments of hand hygiene include before touching a patient, before a procedure, after touching a patient, after a procedure or a body fluid exposure risk, and after touching ___ surroundings.
The five moments of hand hygiene include before touching a patient, before a procedure, after touching a patient, after a procedure or a body fluid exposure risk, and after touching ___ surroundings.
What is the recommended method for hand hygiene in settings where hands are not visibly soiled?
What is the recommended method for hand hygiene in settings where hands are not visibly soiled?
What should you do before applying routine hand washing?
What should you do before applying routine hand washing?
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Study Notes
Definitions
- Universal Precautions: Measures to prevent transmission of infectious diseases.
- Standard Precautions: Measures to prevent infection spread among all patients at all times, regardless of known infection.
- Transmission Based Precautions: Measures to prevent infection spread based on pathogen transmission mode (e.g., contact, airborne, droplet).
Elements of Standard Precautions
- Hand hygiene
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) use
- Appropriate patient care equipment handling
- Prevention of needle stick/sharp injuries
- Environmental cleaning and spills management
- Appropriate waste handling
- Personnel health and staff training
Hand Hygiene
- Definition: Hand washing, antiseptic hand washing, hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis.
- Purposes: Reduce germs, prevent spread of germs, prevent contamination, promote comfort.
- Five Moments of Hand Hygiene:
- Before touching a patient
- Before a procedure
- After touching a patient
- After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
- After touching patient surroundings
Types of Hand Hygiene
- Routine hand washing: Water and non-antimicrobial soap, remove soil and transients (40-60 seconds).
- Antiseptic hand washing: Water and antimicrobial soap (chlorhexidine, iodine).
- Antiseptic hand rub: Alcohol-based hand rub (20-30 seconds), recommended for non-visibly soiled hands.
- Surgical antisepsis: Water and antimicrobial soap (chlorhexidine, iodine), removes transient microorganisms and resident flora (3-5 minutes).
Routine Handwashing
- Soap and water are recommended for visibly soiled hands.
- Plain soap for routine hygiene, antimicrobial soap for high-risk areas.
Routine Handwashing Equipment
- Running water
- Towel
- Soap and soap dish
- Tissue paper
Routine Handwashing Procedure
| Nursing Step | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Prepare equipment | Time saving |
| Remove jewelry and roll sleeves above elbow | Facilitates cleaning and prevents cross-contamination |
| Stand in front of the sink, clothes not touching | Sink may contaminate clothes |
| Adjust water flow and temperature | Prevents splashing |
| Wet hands with water | |
| Apply enough soap | |
| Rub hands together vigorously (palm to palm, fingers interlaced) | Creates lather |
| Rub right palm up and down the back of the left hand, vice versa | |
| Rub palms together with fingers interlaced | |
| Rub back of fingers to opposite palm, fingers bent and interlaced | Removes microorganisms from fingernails |
| Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand | |
| Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in circular motion | |
| Rub each wrist with opposite hand | |
| Rinse hands from fingertips to wrist | Prevents recontamination |
| Use elbow to turn off the tap | |
| Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use towel |
Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
- Recommended for non-visibly soiled hands.
- Alcohol concentration: 70%.
Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Equipment
- Alcohol (70% concentration)
Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Procedure
| Nursing Action | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Apply a palmful of hand sanitizer to dry hand, covering all surfaces | |
| Rub hands palm to palm | |
| Rub right palm up and down the back of the left hand, vice versa | |
| Rub palms together with fingers interlaced | |
| Rub back of fingers to opposite palm, fingers bent and interlaced | |
| Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand | |
| Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in circular motion | |
| Rub each wrist with opposite hand | |
| Allow hands to air-dry completely |
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