DEFINITION HAND HYGINEHand washingorhand hygieneis the act ofcleaningone'shandswith or without the use ofwateror anotherliquid, or with the use of soapcan help prevent the spread of germs (bacteria or viruses) that cause infection and diseases purpose of removingsoil,dirt, and/ormicroorganisms.Through hand washing is necessary using : soap and water, when hands are visibly dirty or soiled alcohol-based hand rubs, when hands are not visibly soiled.

IMPORTANCE OF HAND HYGIENE Hand hygiene is considered to be one of the most common ways that transmission of infection occurs. Effective, timely hand hygiene can contribute significantly to reducing the risks of transmission.Healthcare staffs have the greatest potential to spread micro-organisms that can cause infection. Hands can transfer the patients own micro-organisms into sterile areas of the patients own body during care or treatment transfer micro-organisms from one patient to other patients transfer micro-organisms from the environment and equipment to a patient Acquire micro-organisms as a result of their contact with patients which place healthcare staff at risk of infection.Effective hand hygiene removes all transient micro-organisms and most resident micro-organisms from soiled hands

WHEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDSHealth care providers are expected to clean their hands with waterless hand sanitizer or soap and water:Five moment hand hygine for healthcare workers

6 STEP FOR HAND WASHING

REFERENCE https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/21655/response/54323/attach/html/4/foiextract20120728-17986-pjh75f-0-16_1.png acess on friday 27-03-2015http://www.who.int/gpsc/tools/Pocket-Leaflet.pdf?ua=1 acsess on Friday 03-04-2015http://www.candi.nhs.uk/_uploads/documents/miscellaneous/handwashing_posteraugust2008.pdf