Press Release
Proper Hand Washing Techniques
Proper Hand Washing
Techniques
No matter where you go, there is talk
about proper hand washing techniques. From grocery stores to
schools you will find hand sanitize stations at your
fingertips.
The US Department of Health and Human Service reported that hand
washing is the single most important measure to prevent and stop
transmission of infections. Frequent hand washing is one of
the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness.
Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol based hand
sanitizer.
Luckily we are "thick skinned". We have about 15 layers of
"epidermis" our most superficial layer of skin. This layer is
composed of flattened dead cells (squames) and is attached to each
other to form a tough horny layer of keratin (a protein). They are
held together by several skin lipids (fats). Think of this as
a brick and mortar wall. We shed approximately one layer
daily, that's 1,000,000 particles into the air each day and of that
10% contains viable germs.
When you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day,
you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect
yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or
mouth. Although it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free,
washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of
bacteria, viruses and other microbes.
Understanding how germs are transferred is a good reason to wash
your hands frequently.
The Hand Shaking
Facts
It's a myth that "a little is better than nothing" when it comes
to hand washing. A bowl of soapy water passed around the
table, a stream of water squirted on hands from a bottle or an
abbreviated rinse under running water are not effective substitutes
for careful hand washing.
Myth: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less
effective than soap and water.
Fact: Alcohol based hand rubs are more
effective at cleaning the hands of health care works than soap or
antimicrobial sops. They kill a variety of pathogens,
including multi drug-resistant pathogens (e.g. MRSA and VRE) and
many fungi and viruses (e.g.: influenza, HIV and Hepatitis B
virus). However, alcohol based hand rubs are less effective
than soap and water again certain organisms
Myth: As long as health care workers wear
gloves, they cannot transmit diseases.
Fact: Hand hygiene is required even when gloves
are used or changed. If a glove gets punctured,
pathogens on the hands can pass through it easily. If health
care works wear the same pair of gloves from one patient contact to
another, pathogens can be transmitted among patients. That's
why health care workers should frequently change gloves between
patient contacts and should perform hand cleaning/sanitizing after
each glove removal.
Myth: If a health care worker feels dryness and
irritation on his/her hands as a result of frequent hands washing,
he or she may be excused from performed proper hand hygiene.
Fact: It is essential for the health of
patients and health care works that every health care worker
performs proper hand hygiene. Most alcohol based hand rubs
incorporate a moisturizing lotion to prevent dryness.
Frequent use of hand lotions and creams will also help curb hand
dryness. Health care workers with advanced skin conditions
should seek medical advice from their physician.
It is also essential to remember the following hand washing
tips:
Wash your hands before you:
- Treat wounds,
- Give medication,
- Taking medications
- Caring for sick or injured persons
- Eat food
Wash after you:
- Use the toilet
- Touch uncooked meat, poultry, fish or eggs or other food from
animals
- Interrupt food preparation to answer the phone, open a door or
drawer, etc.
- Smoke
- Touch dirty plates, utensils or equipment
- Take out trash
- Touch your nose, mouth, or any part of your body
- Sneeze or cough
- Change diapers
- Touch pets, pet toys leashes and pet waste
So no matter what the season nor the occasion, hand washing is a
small benefit with a big payoff. Preventing cold, flu, flu like
illness, nausea vomiting and diarrheas is a big bonus for the
simple act of hand washing.
Susan Irving, RN, CIC, MPH
Infection Prevention & Control Manager
Northeast Hospital Corporation
