Handwashing Procedures PDF

HAND HYGIENE PREPARED BY MARIA ZITA CHRISTINE UY BALANCAR, RN, LPT 2ND SEMESTER AY 2023-2024 RLE 103- FUNDAMENTALS IN NURSING A WAY OF CLEANING ONE'S HANDS THAT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCES POTENTIAL PATHOGENS (HARMFUL MICROORGANISMS) ON THE HANDS. PURPOSE Hand hygiene is essential to prevent the...

HAND HYGIENE PREPARED BY MARIA ZITA CHRISTINE UY BALANCAR, RN, LPT 2ND SEMESTER AY 2023-2024 RLE 103- FUNDAMENTALS IN NURSING A WAY OF CLEANING ONE'S HANDS THAT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCES POTENTIAL PATHOGENS (HARMFUL MICROORGANISMS) ON THE HANDS. PURPOSE Hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of microorganisms. It is standard practice for patient care. 3 RESOURCES/MATERIALS ❑Soap ❑Warm running water ❑ Paper towels ❑ Alcohol-based hand sanitizer 4 INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION AND DELEGATION ❑ Hand hygiene is mandatory for all health care workers who come in contact with patients or their belongings; it is not delegated. Hand hygiene is mandated for all patients. ❑ It is important for the nurse to speak up when observing anyone not following required hand hygiene. 5 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE ❑ Alcohol- based products and sanitizers should not be used when one or both hands are visibly soiled (CDC, 2021; Gould, Moralejo, Drey, et al., 2017). ❑ Natural fingernails should be kept short and trimmed often (CDC, 2021). ❑ Health care providers do not wash their hands in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines, which leads to an increased rate of hospital- acquired infections (HAI). 6 PROCEDURES ❑ Handwashing: Soap and Water Method 1. Introduce self and educate the patient regarding handwashing if a procedure is taking place within a patient room. Builds a trusting, professional relationship; eases patient anxiety; facilitates cooperation. 2. Turn on cold or warm water at a medium flow. Cold or warm water removes dirt and microorganisms but, unlike hot water, does not remove protective skin oils; medium flow prevents splashing. 3. Wet the wrists and hands, with fingers pointing downward. Washing should be done from the least contaminated to the most contaminated area (i.e., from the area of fewer microorganisms to the area of more microorganisms). 4. Apply soap. Soap removes microorganisms. 5. Lather; rub using a circular movement; wash for 20 seconds in this order: 7 PROCEDURES a. Palms of hands with fingertips b. Backs (dorsum) of hands c. Wrists d. Between fingers (interlaced, including thumbs) e. Fingers f. Fingertips; clean under nails – friction helps remove microorganisms; lather indicates friction has occurred. 8 PROCEDURES 6. Rinse from wrist to fingertips, keeping hands with fingers pointing downward, hands slightly apart. Prevents spread of microorganisms. 7. Using clean paper towels, dry thoroughly in the same order (from wrists to fingers), using a patting motion. Prevents spread of microorganisms, which thrive in dampness; patting (rather than rubbing) dry prevents injury to the skin. 8. Throw the paper towels in an appropriate receptacle. Prevents spread of microorganisms. 9. Turn off the water by holding the faucet with a clean, dry paper towel. Prevents spread of microorganisms back to the hands. 10. Throw the paper towel in an appropriate receptacle. Prevents spread of microorganisms back to the hands. 9 PROCEDURES ❑ Hand hygiene: Sanitizer Method 1. Apply an appropriate amount of hand sanitizer into the palm of one hand. Soap and water must be used to thoroughly clean hands if there is any visible soiling or dirt and with certain infections such as Clostridioides difficile and vancomycin-resistant enterococci when preparing for a sterile or surgical procedure, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. In all other situations, a hand sanitizer is as effective as soap and water. 10 PROCEDURES ❑ Hand hygiene: Sanitizer Method 2. Rub hands together using a circular motion, spreading over palms and backs of both hands, then the wrist; continue until dry. Do not wave hands to dry because microorganisms may be in the air. Friction from rubbing helps remove microorganisms; the sanitizer is not effective until dry. 3. Gloves should not be applied until hands are dry. Moisture inside gloves may contribute to skin breakdown, and gloves will be easier to apply. 11 THANK YOU