Nursing Procedure: How to Antiseptic Hand Washing Used Hand Rub

Definition

Hand washing is the act of cleaning one’s hands with the use of any liquid with or without soap for the purpose of removing dirt or microorganisms. It is the most effective measure in reducing the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. It cannot be said too often that hand washing is the most important and most basic technique in preventing and controlling infections. It is the single most effective infection control measure.
Hand washing is under the umbrella of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is defined by the World Health Organization as a general term that applies to hand washing, antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub or surgical hand antisepsis.

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Terms

To understand this study guide better, familiarize yourself with the terms used:

• Hand Hygiene. It is a general term that applies to hand washing, antiseptic hand wash, antiseptic hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis
• Hand Washing. It is defined as the washing of hands with plain (i.e., non-antimicrobial) soap and water.
• Antiseptic Hand wash. A term that applies to hand washing with an antimicrobial soap and water.
• Surgical Hand Antisepsis. Commonly called as a surgical hand scrub. This is to remove as many microorganisms from the hands as possible before the sterile procedure.

Goals

The purposes of hand hygiene are:

• Hand washing can prevent infection
• Avoid pathogenic microorganisms and to avoid transmitting them
 

 

Equipment

The following materials or equipment are needed to perform hand washing:

• Hand rub / hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Optional: Antiseptic cleaner, fingernail brush, plastic cuticle stick

 

Nursing Action (Procedures)

Antiseptic Handrub

The use of alcohol-based handrub.
1. Ensure jewellery has been removed
2. Apply quantity of alcohol-based hand hygiene product as per manufacturer’s recommendations into cupped hand.
3. Rub hands palm to palm
4. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa.
5. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced
6. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlaced
7. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
8. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left
palm and vice versa
9. Rubbing hands together until hands are dry before continuing with patient care, do not rub off excess product