Hand Washing - Procedure and Technique PDF

Prepared By Dr. Furat Hussein  Introduction:- - Hand washing is a simple but effective procedure to breakdown the chain of infection. - It is important for the nurse to wash hands to avoid the transfer of microorganisms from patients to herself, from the nurse to p...

Prepared By Dr. Furat Hussein  Introduction:- - Hand washing is a simple but effective procedure to breakdown the chain of infection. - It is important for the nurse to wash hands to avoid the transfer of microorganisms from patients to herself, from the nurse to patients, from the nurse to coworkers and from one patient to another (from reservoir to susceptible host). - By hand washing the nurse does not kill microorganisms but the mechanical effect of the procedure reduce the number of microorganisms, so it is one of the medical aseptic techniques. Hand washing should be done: - Before and after each procedure. - After using toilet.  Objectives: - To remove dirty from the skin. - To remove transient microorganisms. - To reduce the number of resident microorganisms. - To prevent transmission of pathogens from reservoir to susceptible host (cross contamination). Equipment:- - Running water (warm if available). - Soap and soap dish. -Hand brush. - Individual hand towel or tissue paper. - Emollient to prevent dryness of the hand.  Remember to:- - Remove all jewelry. - Use plenty of running water and soap suds. - Cover all the skin area of the hands and wrist. - Clean in one direction from the finger to the wrist. - Clean in the direction of skin fold.  Hand Washing procedure Action Rationale 1- Prepare the - To save time and needed effort. equipment 2- Remove the - Watch and jewelry watch and harbor jewelry. microorganisms. 3- Roll sleeves - To prevent to above wetting of elbows. clothes. 4- Stand at an - A wide adequate margin should distance from be provided to the sink by prevent keeping good contamination. body mechanics. 5- Turn the tap -Splashing of water on, doing the will wet the clothes following: making it a good a- Adjust the media for flow of water. -micro-organism's attraction. b- Keep the - Running water water running does not harbor as during the mush procedure. microorganisms as stagnant water.  - Warm water 6- Wet hands removes the fewer and the soap oils from the skin with water than cold water. (warm water if available) - Soap suds are by making better produced with friction. warm water. - water and friction ensure enough suds. 7- Wash and rinse - Unclean tap the tap handle provides well with one recontamination hand and keep the for hands after soap bar in the washing. other hand. 8- Apply soap on - Suds harbor hands thoroughly. microorganisms. 9- Rinse soap bar and return to soap dish. 10- Exert pressure - Friction helps using a rotating to remove of movement and organisms. friction including: a- Palm folds. - Hand brush b-Between fingers& removes back of hands. persistent c- Under nails substances or (using hand brush dirty under if needed), thumb. nails. d- Wrist. 11- Rub for at least one minute. 12- Rinse - Soap kept on hands well, skin causes interlacing the irritation. fingers and rubbing up and down. 13- Turn off tap with foot or with elbow if possible. To turn off hand faucet, use clean, dry paper towel, avoid touching handles with hands. 14- Dry hands with - Moisture towel or a tissue paper leads to and apply an emollient dryness of or a small amount of skin. lotion if hands are dry.