HAND HYGIENE -PRESENTED BY:.

HAND HYGIENE
-PRESENTED BY:

Hand-Hygiene
 Hand hygiene can be defined as the
process of cleansing hands with the
help of cleaning agents such as
antiseptic hand wash, alcohol-based
hand rub or surgical antiseptics in
order to reduce the chances of
transmission of infections.

When to observe hand-hygiene:
 In context of healthcare, the five
most important moments of
observing hand-hygiene includes the
following:
 Prior to patient contact
 Prior to aseptic task
 After body-fluid exposure risk
 After patient-contact
 After contact with the belongings of
the patient

Methods in hand-washing:
 ABHR technique that is widely
recommended for cleaning hands
when the hand is not visibly soiled
and has been studied to yield
accurate results up to 50-80%
 Observing hand washing with soap
and running water helps in cleaning
hands when the hands are visibly
soiled

Factors responsible for poor
adherence with hand-washing:
 Skin irritation and dryness caused
due to the use of hand washing
agents
 Patient priority
 Lack of clean washing soap and
towels
 Overcrowding
 Lack of awareness about
transmission of infection from
patients

Hand-washing steps:
 Step 1: Apply soap on palm
 Step 2: rub palms together
 Step 3: rub the back of both hands
 Step 4: Interface fingers and rub hands
together
 Step 5: interlock fingers and rub the back of
fingers
 Step 6: rub the thumb in a rotating manner and
the area between the thumb and the index
finger
 Step 7: Rub finger tips on palm
 Step 8: Rub both wrists in rotating manner

Significance of hand hygiene:
 Effective hand hygiene helps in
reducing the risk of the transmission
of infection from an infected
individual to a normal person
 Hand washing reduces the number
of transient organisms on the
surface of the skin
 Proper hand washing can help in the
reduction of hospital acquired
infections

References:
Allegranzi, B., Sax, H., & Pittet, D. (2013). Hand hygiene and healthcare
system change within multi-modal promotion: a narrative review. Journal
of Hospital Infection, 83, S3-S10.
Ellingson, K., Haas, J. P., Aiello, A. E., Kusek, L., Maragakis, L. L., Olmsted,
R. N., ... & VanAmringe, M. (2014). Strategies to prevent healthcare-
associated infections through hand hygiene. Infection Control & Hospital
Epidemiology, 35(8), 937-960.

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