Hand Hygiene

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Hand Hygiene...

According to the CDC:

Good hand hygiene is one of the most critical control strategies in outbreak management. Hand hygiene is defined as any method that removes or destroys microorganisms on hands. It is well-documented that the most important measure for preventing the spread of of pathogens is effective handwashing.

Health care professionals, and those working with the general public should be thoroughly instructed as to where, why and the "how tos" of proper hand hygiene, including the use of soap and water, followed by effective hand drying. When taught, instructions should also be given on the effective use of antiseptic hand washes and hand rubs and sanitizers.

Handwashing and Drying

Hand washing is defined as the vigorous, brief rubbing together of all surfaces of lathered hands, followed by rinsing under a stream of water. Handwashing suspends microorganisms and mechanically removes them by rinsing with water. The fundamental primciple of hand washing is removal, not killing.

The amount of time spent washing hands is important to reduce the transmission of pathogens to other food, water, other people and inanimate objects (fomites), such as door knobs, hand railings and other frequently touched surfaces. Proper hand hygiene involves the use of soap and warm, running water, rubbing hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. The use of a nail brush is not necessary or desired, but close attention should be paid to the nail areas, as well as the area between the fingers.

Wet hands have been know to transfer pathogens much more readily than dry hands or hands not washed at all. The residual moisture determines the level of bacterial and viral transfer following hand washing. Careful hand drying is a critical factor for bacterial transfer to skin, food and environmental surfaces.

The drying times required to reduce the transfer of these pathogens varies with drying methods. Repeated drying of hands with reusable cloth towels is not recommended and should be avoided. Recommended hand drying methods and drying times are outlined below:

LEARN MORE:

General Information on Hand Hygiene

Scrubbing For A Surgical Procedure

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