Hand washing is a fundamental and frequent procedure that is practiced in healthcare. Correct technique reduces the transmission of infectious diseases thereby protecting patients, colleagues and yourself. This article will explain when you should clean your hands, the correct technique and use of alcohol gels.
When you should clean your hands
How to wash your hands with soap and water
The entire process should take 40 to 60 seconds.
- Wet your hands with running water.
- Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
- Rub your hands together palm to palm.
- Rub your right palm over the dorsum of your left hand with fingers interlaced.
- Rub your left palm over the dorsum of your right hand with fingers interlaced.
- Rub your hands plam to palm with fingers interlaced.
- Rub the backs of your fingers with the opposing palm and fingers interlaced.
- Rotate your right thumb clasped in your left palm.
- Rotate your left thumb clasped in your right palm.
- Rotationally rub your right clasped fingers on your left palm.
- Rotationally rub your left clasped fingers on your right palm.
- Rinse your hands with water.
- Dry your hands thoroughly with a single-use towel.
- Use the towel to turn off the tap.
Source: Safety WP. WHO How to handwash? 4 May 2009, World Health Organization. Link: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/how-to-handwash
How to clean your hands with alcohol gel
If soap and water is unavailable alcohol gels can be used as long as they are >60% alcohol. They should NOT be used if the hands are visibly soiled or contaminated OR if there is a suspicion or proven contamination from spore forming organisms such as C. difficile.
The process of cleaning your hands with alcohol gel should take 20 to 40 seconds.
- Apply enough alcohol gel to cover all hand surfaces.
- Rub your hands together palm to palm.
- Rub your right palm over the dorsum of your left hand with fingers interlaced.
- Rub your left palm over the dorsum of your right hand with fingers interlaced.
- Rub your hands palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
- Rub the backs of your fingers with the opposing palm and fingers interlaced.
- Rotate your right thumb clasped in your left palm.
- Rotate your left thumb clasped in your right palm.
- Rotationally rub your right clasped fingers on your left palm.
- Rotationally rub your left clasped fingers on your right palm.
- Allow your hands to dry.
Source: Safety WP. WHO How to handrub? 4 May 2009, World Health Organization. Link: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/how-to-handrub
References:
Safety WP, World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care. World Health Organization; 2009.
Safety WP. WHO How to handwash? 4 May 2009, World Health Organization.
Safety WP. WHO How to handrub? 4 May 2009, World Health Organization.
Written by Dr Jesse Chan (FY3)
