Hand washing is required

Before patient contact

Between contact with different patients

After contact with anything contaminated

During patient care (per procedures)

• before and after invasive procedure
• before and after contact with wound
• between procedures on different body parts of the same patient

Between glove changes

Immediately, if skin is contaminated or an injury occurs

Before Hand washing remember to

• Remove all wrist and hand jewelry, cover cuts and abrasions with water proof dressing
• Avoid long nails, Artificial nails, or Nail varnish
• Wash wrist and elbows if they are also contaminated
• Role your sleeves properly to avoid soiling with water

Three stages of Hand Washing

Preparation ( wet hands under running tap water)

Washing and rinsing ( apply soap (liquid) allow it to come in contact with all hand surfaces, rub hands together for a minimum of 10-15 seconds, particular attention to finger tips, thumbs & areas between fingers.

Ideal method

1. Rub Palm to palm
2. Right Palm over left dorsum and left palm over right dorsum
3. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced
4. Back of the fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
5. Rotational rubbing of right thumb clasped in left palm and vice versa
6. Rotational rubbing backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and voice versa

Drying (Thoroughly with good quality paper towel)

Close the tap using a  dry paper towel, don’t use your hands in any case.