Hand Hygiene Lecture PDF

Hand Hygiene in Medical Settings A critical infection control practice to protect patients and healthcare workers. by Heba Rashed  Standard Percussion for Infection Control by Heba Rashed Introduction to Standard Precautions 1 Comprehensive 2 Protecting Patient...

Hand Hygiene in Medical Settings A critical infection control practice to protect patients and healthcare workers. by Heba Rashed  Standard Percussion for Infection Control by Heba Rashed Introduction to Standard Precautions 1 Comprehensive 2 Protecting Patients and Approach Staff Standard precautions Following standard encompass a set of precautions helps reduce infection control practices the risk of transmission of applicable to all patients, infectious agents from both regardless of suspected or recognized and confirmed infection status. unrecognized sources. 3 Compliance and Vigilance Consistent application of standard precautions is crucial for maintaining a safe healthcare environment for patients and staff. Definition A group of infection control practices uses to prevent disease transmission especially by contact applied to symptomatizing or non symptomatizing individual. Components: 1) Hand hygiene 2) Personal protective equipment 3) Aseptic technique 4) Sharp safety 5) Safe injection practices 6) Sterilization and disinfection of patient care equipment 7) Respiratory hygiene /Cough Etiquette 8) Waste disposal 9) Environmental Infection Prevention and Control Handwashing Techniques 1 Wet Hands Turn on water and wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). 2 Apply Soap Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of the hands. 3 Scrub Thoroughly Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces are cleaned.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Gloves Gowns Masks and Face Shields Wear gloves when there is Wear a gown to protect Use masks and face shields a risk of contact with skin and clothing from to protect the mucous blood, body fluids, mucous contamination with blood, membranes of the eyes, membranes, or non-intact body fluids, or other nose, and mouth from skin. potentially infectious splashes and sprays. materials.  Proper Cleaning and Disinfection Cleaning Disinfection Remove visible dirt, debris, and Apply an EPA-registered organic matter from surfaces disinfectant to kill or inactivate using soap and water or a remaining microorganisms on detergent-based cleaner. surfaces and equipment. Frequency Verification Clean and disinfect surfaces Ensure proper contact time and equipment on a regular and coverage when using schedule, and whenever visibly disinfectants to achieve soiled. effective microbial kill. Sharps and Waste Handling Sharps Disposal Use puncture-proof, leak-proof containers to safely dispose of needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments. Waste Segregation Separate general waste from infectious or hazardous waste, and dispose of each type properly. Hand Hygiene Perform hand hygiene before and after handling waste to prevent the spread of infections. Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette Cover Coughs and Sneezes Use a tissue or the inside of the elbow to contain respiratory droplets and prevent the spread of illness. Dispose of Used Tissues Immediately throw away used tissues in the nearest waste receptacle and perform hand hygiene. Wear a Mask If experiencing respiratory symptoms, wear a mask to contain droplets and prevent transmission to others.  The Role of Hand Hygiene in Infection Prevention Hand Hygiene Basics Pathogen Control Removes germs and prevents Stops transmission of harmful their spread. microorganisms. Healthcare Safety Interpersonal Interactions Protects patients and staff from Reduces spread of illnesses infections. between people. Common Misconceptions about Hand Hygiene Handwashing Myth Sanitizer Efficacy Glove Reliance Time Constraints Handwashing alone is Alcohol-based rubs are not Wearing gloves replaces the Busy schedules prevent sufficient for infection as effective as soap and need for hand hygiene. consistent hand hygiene control. water. practices.  Pathogen Transmission in Healthcare Settings Patients and staff come into close contact, increasing risk of infection spread. Contaminated surfaces, equipment, and lack of hand hygiene enable pathogens to spread. Airborne, droplet, and contact transmission routes common in hospitals and clinics. Defining Appropriate Hand Hygiene Techniques Handwashing 1 Thorough cleansing with soap and water. 2 Alcohol-based Rubs Quick disinfection using sanitizing gels/foams. Technique Guidelines 3 Duration, coverage, and proper application.  5 Moments for Hand Hygiene Hand hygiene is a simple yet powerful way to prevent the spread of infections. Proper handwashing technique and awareness of key moments for hand hygiene can make a huge difference in infection control. The Five Moments for Hand Hygiene Before Patient Contact 1 Clean hands to protect the patient. Before Aseptic Task 2 Clean hands to prevent infection. After Body Fluid Exposure 3 Clean hands to protect yourself. After Patient Contact 4 Clean hands to protect yourself. After Contact with Patient Surroundings 5 Clean hands to protect the environment. These five key moments represent the critical points during patient care when hand hygiene must be performed to interrupt the transmission of pathogens and prevent healthcare-associated infections.  Before Patient Contact 1 Initial Contact 2 Cleanliness Washing your hands This crucial step helps before touching a ensure that you're not patient reduces the risk introducing any harmful of transmitting germs microbes to the patient. from your hands to them. 3 Protection 4 Safety First This practice is a vital Prioritizing patient component of infection safety through control practices in effective hand hygiene healthcare settings. is essential. Before Aseptic Tasks Essential Step Preventing Contamination Patient Safety Before performing any procedure Washing hands before aseptic Maintaining a sterile environment that involves sterile equipment or tasks is a critical step in preventing is paramount for patient safety, and invasive procedures, such as the introduction of microorganisms hand hygiene plays a vital role in inserting a catheter or drawing into the sterile field, thereby achieving this. blood, washing your hands is reducing the risk of infection for the crucial. patient. After Body Fluid Exposure Risk Immediate Action Hand hygiene is crucial after any potential exposure to bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, or feces. Preventative Measure Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately minimizes the risk of contamination. Safety Protocol This step is essential for protecting healthcare professionals and patients from the spread of infectious agents. After Patient Contact 1 Prevent Spread Washing your hands after touching a patient helps prevent the spread of germs from the patient to other patients or healthcare personnel. 2 Essential Routine This practice is an essential part of a healthcare professional's routine and should be performed after each patient interaction. 3 Patient-Centered Care It demonstrates respect for the patient and commitment to their safety and well-being. After Contact with Patient Surroundings Surroundings Reason Bedrails Frequent touch points can harbor microbes. Medical Equipment Germs can easily transfer from equipment to hands. Tables and Chairs Surfaces touched by multiple people may be contaminated.  Proper Hand Hygiene Techniques Soap and Water Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Wet your hands with water, apply soap, rub hands together Dispense a sufficient amount of for at least 20 seconds, rinse hand sanitizer, rub hands thoroughly, and dry with a clean together until dry. Make sure to towel. cover all surfaces of your hands. Importance of Hand Hygiene Infection Prevention Patient Safety Hospital Acquired Community Health Hand hygiene is a By practicing hand Infections Effective hand hygiene cornerstone of infection hygiene, healthcare Hand hygiene plays a practices not only protect prevention, dramatically professionals contribute crucial role in minimizing patients but also help reducing the risk of to a safer environment the incidence of hospital- prevent the spread of transmitting infectious for patients and help acquired infections, infections in the broader diseases. reduce healthcare- which can lead to community. associated infections. prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. Types of Hand Hygiene 1 1. Handwashing 2 2. Hand Sanitizing Handwashing is the most Hand sanitizing is a quick effective way to remove and convenient way to kill germs, dirt, and other germs when soap and water contaminants. are not available. 3 3. Surgical Hand Antisepsis Surgical hand antisepsis involves using an antiseptic solution to reduce the number of germs on the hands before surgical procedures. Hand Washing Handwashing is a crucial part of hand hygiene, involving the use of soap and water to physically remove germs and dirt from the hands. Wet Hands 1 Use running water. Apply Soap 2 Lather well. Scrub Hands 3 For at least 20 seconds. Rinse Thoroughly 4 Remove all soap. Dry Hands 5 Use a clean towel. Handwashing effectively reduces the spread of infections by eliminating harmful microorganisms. Hand Sanitizing Hand sanitizing is an effective alternative to hand washing when soap and water are unavailable. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are commonly used in healthcare settings to quickly reduce the number of germs on hands. Apply Sanitizer 1 Dispense a generous amount of hand sanitizer to cover all surfaces of the hands. Rub Hands Together 2 Rub hands together thoroughly, ensuring all areas are covered, including the palms, fingertips, and backs of the hands. Allow to Dry 3 Allow the sanitizer to air dry completely before touching any surfaces or objects. It is important to note that hand sanitizer should not be used as a substitute for handwashing when hands are visibly soiled. Proper Hand Washing Steps Wet Hands with Water Turn on the tap and wet your hands thoroughly with clean, running water. Apply Soap Dispense a small amount of soap and rub it between your hands to create a lather. Scrub Hands Thoroughly Scrub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, making sure to clean the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails. Rinse Hands Thoroughly Rinse your hands well with clean, running water to remove all soap and dirt. Dry Hands Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them completely. Handwashing vs. Alcohol-based Hand Rubs Handwashing Alcohol-based Rubs Removes visible dirt and contaminants Quickly kills microbes without water Requires access to soap and water More convenient and accessible Time-consuming, especially in busy settings Effective against wide range of pathogens Barriers to Effective Hand Hygiene Practices Lack of Time Inconvenient Access Busy workflows limit Sinks or sanitizers not readily opportunities for proper available at point of care. handwashing. Skin Irritation Forgetfulness Frequent handwashing can Busy healthcare providers lead to dry, cracked skin. may overlook hand hygiene. Importance of Hand Hygiene Education and Training Skill Development Teaches proper techniques for hand hygiene. Increased Awareness Highlights the critical role of hand hygiene. Behavior Modification Encourages consistent hand hygiene practice. Hand Hygiene during Emergencies and Outbreaks Escalate Protocols Implement enhanced hand hygiene procedures. Address Supply Shortages Ensure availability of soap, water, and sanitizers. Educate Continuously Train staff and empower patients on proper techniques. Monitor Vigilantly Track compliance and respond to changing needs. Hand Hygiene and Healthcare-associated Infection Rates Improvement in Hand Hygiene Reduction in HAI Rates Enhanced hand hygiene compliance Lower incidence of surgical site, catheter-related, and other HAIs Implementation of multimodal hand hygiene programs Significant cost savings for healthcare facilities Sustained hand hygiene behavior change Improved patient safety and outcomes