Hand Hygiene

Background

Everyone has germs. Our bodies are covered with germs that help us to stay healthy. In addition to the germs that are usually present on our skin (RESIDENT germs), we also pick up germs from contact with other persons or objects in the environment. These types of germs, called TRANSIENT germs, are much easier to pick up and transfer. In this way, they can cause you, or others, to get sick. Although people usually think that germs are spread through the air, the fact is that germs are most easily spread through HAND CONTACT.

One of the best ways to stop the spread of germs is to wash OR to decontaminate your hands. HAND HYGIENE is the newest term to describe washing or decontaminating hands. WASHING hands helps to physically remove germs by friction, and to rinse them down the drain.

DECONTAMINATING hands reduces the amount of germs present on hands through use of special alcohol-containing preparations (hand rubs), in the form of gels, rinses or foams. While alcohol-containing preparations reduce germs on your hands, they cannot remove visible soil or contamination. It is always important to WASH hands any time they are visibly dirty. Alcohol-based preparations are a very effective way to decontaminate hands, if they are used appropriately.

How to Use Alcohol Hand rubs

Apply product to palm of one hand. · Rub hands together.
Cover all surfaces of hands and fingers.
Rub until hands are dry.
When using alcohol hand rubs, you have used enough (about 1/2 tsp) if it takes 25-30 seconds to dry on your hands.

When to Wash Your Hands

Children and adults should wash with plain or antimicrobial soap:

When hands are visibly dirty
Before you eat
Before you prepare food items
After touching raw meats like chicken or beef
After contact with any body fluids like blood, urine or vomit
After changing infant or adult diapers
After touching animals and pets
After using the restroom
After removing medical gloves

How To Wash Your Hands the Right Way

If using a cloth towel to dry hands, have it close at hand before you start to wash.
Wet hands with water.
Apply soap to hands- lotion soap is best; germs can live on bar soap, but if used, it should be stored on a rack between uses.
Rub hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds (say the ABCs or sing “Row, Row, Row your Boat” to make sure you’ve washed long enough).
Cover all surfaces of hands, fingers and thumbs.
Rinse hands well to remove soap residue.
Dry hands gently using soft paper towels; if using cloth towels, remember that damp towels may harbor germs.
Use towel to turn off faucet.

My Hands are Dry — Won't Alcohol Sting or Make Them Drier?

Choose alcohol handrubs containing 60-95% alcohol, listed as ingredients isopropyl, ethanol or n-propanol.
Choose alcohol handrubs with 1-3% glycerol or other skin conditioning agents, as emollients.
Emollients are added to alcohol handrubs to restore moisture to the skin.
Alcohol-based handrubs, rinses or gels containing emollients cause MUCH LESS skin irritation and dryness than plain or antimicrobial soaps.
It is NOT necessary, or recommended, to routinely wash hands after application of alcohol-based handrubs.
Do not wipe off alcohol handrubs. Let hands air dry.
Use of antimicrobial handwipes is considered equivalent to handwashing; BUT they are not as effective in killing germs as using alcohol handrubs.
When used on dry or chafed skin, alcohol may cause a temporary stinging effect, but if products are chosen carefully, the chance of this is decreased.

When to Use Alcohol Handrubs

For routine cleaning of hands anytime they are not visibly dirty
If you have contact with contaminated objects in the environment
Before and after you care for or have contact with someone who is very sick, very old or very young
After touching other persons’ intact skin (shaking hands, holding hands, especially when the other person has a cold or other illness)
Whenever you want to decontaminate hands

To download the DVD click here www.cdc.gov/handhygiene

Patient Safety Video

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Safe Care Campaign debuted the Patient Safety DVD at APIC’s Annual Conference in Denver, CO. The DVD, which will be shown to patients on admission into the hospital, is modeled after the video airline passengers are required to view prior to take-off on a flight. The video stresses the importance for patients, visitors and healthcare workers to perform hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of infections. The video provides tips on how patients and visitors can ask their healthcare providers to wash their hands.

To view the press release click here.