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Effective Hand Washing

The document provides guidelines for effective handwashing to reduce microorganisms on the skin. It outlines the necessary equipment which includes soap, paper towels, and sterile towels. The 7 step procedure involves removing jewelry, inspecting hands for cuts, thoroughly washing with soap and friction from wrist to elbow for 5 seconds per step, rinsing from clean to dirty areas, drying hands using half a towel per hand from fingers to elbow, and keeping hands elevated after washing. The purpose is to mechanically remove microorganisms to prevent infection before and after patient care.

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Jennifer Wong
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151 views4 pages

Effective Hand Washing

The document provides guidelines for effective handwashing to reduce microorganisms on the skin. It outlines the necessary equipment which includes soap, paper towels, and sterile towels. The 7 step procedure involves removing jewelry, inspecting hands for cuts, thoroughly washing with soap and friction from wrist to elbow for 5 seconds per step, rinsing from clean to dirty areas, drying hands using half a towel per hand from fingers to elbow, and keeping hands elevated after washing. The purpose is to mechanically remove microorganisms to prevent infection before and after patient care.

Uploaded by

Jennifer Wong
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

EFFECTIVE HANDWASHING Purpose:

To reduce resident microorganism on skin before and after care of patient; before performing a sterile surgical procedures in the ward.

Equipment: 1. Soap/ liquid hand wash 2. Paper towel 3. Sterile hand towel ( if to perform a sterile procedure) Procedure: Action 1. Remove jewellery and watch Rationale 1. Jewellery or watch may harbor microorganism. Removal facilitates proper cleaning of the hands and arms 2. Dirt and microorganism harbor under fingernails. Broken skin serves as a portal of entry. a) Prevent splashing and contamination of uniform.

2. Keep fingernails short. Inspect skin surface of hands for abrasions or cuts. 3. Wash hands: a) stand in front of the sink, avoid touching the sink during the procedure. b) Turn on the tap and adjust the flow. c) Wet arm up to elbow thoroughly under running water. d) Soap hands well, using plenty of lather and friction for 5 times per each steps on each hand. Interface fingers, palm and dorsal aspect of hands (see diagram). Apply friction from wrist until elbows. e) Hold left hand and forearm under running water, keeping hands and wrists higher than elbows at all times. f) Repeat for right hand and forearm

c) To ensure water flows from the least contaminated to more contaminated areas. d) Friction and circular action help remove microorganisms mechanically. interlacing the finger and thumb clean the interdigital spaces.

e) To wash away contaminant.

g) Allow water drip from elbows into


washbasin.

Procedure Guideline: Effective Handwashing_March09

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Action 4. Turn off the tap with an elbow. 5. Dry left hand thoroughly from fingers to the elbow, using a rotating motion. Use half part of the towel to dry.

Rationale 4. Touching the handle directly contaminates the hand. 5. Moist skin readily becomes chapped and subject to open sores. Thorough drying makes it easier to don sterile gloves. The nurse dries the hands from the cleanest to the least clean area.

6. Turn the towel, dry right hand from fingers to elbow using another half part of the towel. Discard towel. 7. Keep hands in front and above your waist at all times. 7. This position maintains their cleanliness and prevents accidental contamination.

Procedure Guideline: Effective Handwashing_March09

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Procedure Guideline: Effective Handwashing_March09

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Procedure Guideline: Effective Handwashing_March09

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