Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
HandwashingUnit 13.2
Questions to ask yourself Why wash your hands? What’s the
purpose? When should I wash? What are steps I should remember when
washing? How hot should the water be? What kind of soap should I use?
Handwashing Is a basic task required in ANY health
occupation
An ASEPTIC technique- most important method to control spread of pathogens
2 Purposes of Handwashing Prevent and control the
spread of pathogens from person to person
Protect the health care worker from disease and illness
Appropriate times to wash Arrival and Exit of facility Before and After each patient When hands are contaminated during a procedure Before and after wearing gloves Before and after handling specimens After contact with ANY soiled item After picking up items from the floor After use of the bathroom After cough, sneeze, or use of a tissue Before/After any contact with your mouth/mucous
membrane- ex: eating, smoking, drinking, applying lip balm, contact lenses
Principles of Proper Handwashing- Soap Use soap as a cleansing agent
Aids in removal of pathogens – sudsy action and alkali content
Pathogens get trapped in soap and rinsed away
Use liquid soap from dispenser over bar soap
Principles of Proper Handwashing- Water Less damaging to skin than hot water
Creates a better lather with the soap than cold water
Principles of Proper Handwashing Use friction to help rub off pathogens
from skin surface
Clean all surfaces on hands
Point fingers downward Prevents water on forearm
Water on forearm can run down and contaminate clean hands
Principles of Proper Handwashing Use dry paper towels to turn faucet
on/off
Prevents contamination of hands from pathogens on the faucet
Pathogens travel quickly through a wet towel
Principles of Proper Handwashing- Nails Nails harbor dirt and pathogens
Clean with blunt end of cuticle stick
Scrub with a brush to remove dirt/pathogens
If brush/stick not available, rub nails against palm of opposite hand
