Hand Hygiene

by Nexteamwork Corporation Sdn Bhd September 23, 2020

Did you know that four out of five germs that cause illness are spread by hands?

That's right. And that's why cleaning hands is one of the most important steps health care providers - and all of us - can take to prevent the spread of infection-causing germs. Numerous studies show that infections can be prevented in the hospital if health care providers use proper hand hygiene. Keeping your hands clean is an important way to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to patients, coworkers, etc.

Please read the following tips and instructions on proper hand hygiene:

The Right Way To Wash Your Hands
When health care providers should wash their hands
When patients and visitors should wash their hands
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources

The Right Way to Wash Your Hands

With soap and water:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 15 seconds.
Rinse hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

If soap and clean water are not available and/or your hands are not visibly soiled, you can use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting. (Remember: alcohol-based hand rubs not effective against spore-forming bacteria as C. Difficile.)

Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Apply 1 pump of product to the palm of one hand.
Rub hands together.
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

Make sure your hands are completely dry prior to putting on gloves.
Wash your hands with soap and water when you feel a “build-up” of emollients on your hands.

When health care providers should wash their hands

Health care providers are expected to clean their hands with waterless hand sanitizer or soap and water:

Upon entering and exiting the room of hospitalized patients
Before touching each patient, whether or not gloves are worn
After touching each patient
After glove removal
Between activities on the same patient, for example, after a dressing change and before urinary or catheter care
After touching items soiled with blood or body fluid, such as wound dressings or bedpans
Before handling medications
Before preparing food
After personal activities, such as, use of the toilet, coughing or sneezing

When patients and visitors should wash their hands

Before eating. Use waterless hand sanitizer if in your car
Before, during and after handling or preparing food
After changing a diaper
After you use the bathroom
After handling animals, their toys, leashes or waste
After touching something that could be contaminated (such as a trash can, cleaning cloth, drain, or soil)
After sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
Before dressing a wound, giving medicine or inserting contact lenses
More often when someone in your home is sick
Whenever they look or feel dirty.
Whenever you visit someone in the hospital or nursing home.

Remember, too, the importance of hand hygiene if you are providing care for a loved one at home or in the hospital. Clean your hands before and after every contact.