Techniques to
effective Hand Washing in Hospitals
Hand washing plays a vital role
in spreading communicable diseases and germs. According to a research every
year around 80,000 patients die due to the contamination caused by infections leaving
behind two million patients in U.S hospitals.
Hand washing must be performed
routinely depending upon the following situations:
- The extent to which patients are
contacted.
- To what degree the contamination
occurs after meeting the patients.
- In case you are suspicious of
patients' infection.
Process
The process of effective hand washing
takes place in two steps, mechanically and chemically.
The mechanical process enables
you to get rid of germs by simply rubbing all surfaces of your hands with the
help of plain soap or detergent. In the first phase this procedure causes the
eradication of micro organisms from your hand. Then comes the chemical hand
washing. The chemical ingredients of anti bacterial liquid hand wash or soaps
not only help alleviating microorganisms or germs but also keep us protected
for a limited period of time (unless we are again not affected).
Basic Hand washing Instructions
- First adjust the water temperature
until it is warm enough for your hands.
- While rubbing your hands work up lather
until your hands are covered by the foam. Rub your hands for 10 to 15
seconds. Make sure to clean beneath fingernails so that no bacteria remain.
- Give your hands a complete wash to
remove away all the suds. Use a clean paper towel to tap dry.
Do's and don'ts
1. Do
not use your naked hands to turn off the water faucet. Always use two clean
towels to turn them off.
2. During
clinical practice hours or while attending a patient, always use a good antiseptic
hand wash.
3. Do
not splash water after hand washing as bacteria spreads more easily on wet
floors and surfaces.
4. Don't
touch the sink or faucet after hand washing as it might be contaminated.
5. Avoid
using bar soap as it spreads cross contamination.
By FirstClass-Writeups Team
