Not only are sick individuals
highly susceptible to infection
They also serve as sources of disease agents.
Even though the signs and symptoms of infection may not be apparent
The aim of this technique is to reduce the number of
pathogenic organisms
Running water is an important element,
since it acts to flush foreign material off the hands.
The water temperature should be comfortable to the skin.
While very hot water may destroy some organisms
it can also cause chaffing and breaks in the skin.
Thereby affording harbourage
for pathogenic micro organisms.
Infection may then occur.
Thus increasing the danger of hands as spreaders of disease.
Soaps and related compounds, due to their detergent properties
are also effective in the mechanical cleansing of hands.
Soap lather to penetrate the skin pores.
and wash away dirt and other foreign matter.
Friction is still another aid in the removal of organisms.
And is produced by vigorously rubbing together
the hands and fingers.
Where frequent hand washing is necessary
Brushes are not generally recommended.
Since they tend to injure the skin.
Finally the length and frequency of the hand wash
is an important consideration in achieving medical a sepsis.
Before and after caring for each patient.
a thorough hand wash should be carried out.
This is also important at intervals during patient care
when there is danger of spreading organisms from one part of body to another.
The length of the hand wash
depends upon the degree of suspected hand contamination
the use of soap or detergent
and the vigor of friction applied.
One to two minutes is generally recommended.
Before the hand wash
all jewelry except a plain wedding band should be removed.
Finger nails should be well groomed.
and nail polish should NOT be worn.
These measures will eliminate additional harbouring areas for micro bugs.
The area to be washed should extend
about one inch beyond the line of contamination.
In this case, the mid forearm.
The faucet handles
and the soap, are considered to be contaminated.
They should NOT be touched with clean hands.
First - wet the hands thoroughly.
Take the cake of soap and work up a generous lather
using the same friction motion demonstrated earlier.
Retain the soap in the hands throughout.
Rinse the hands
again allowing the water to flow off the side.
Now, wet and soap each forearm.
Transfer the soap from hand to hand
between each lathering operation.
After a thorough rinse of each forearm
soap the hands once again.
Holding the soap by the fingertips
Rinse
and let drop in to soap container.
Continue washing hands and cleaning nails.
Ending with drying of both hands and forearms.
With the last paper towel,
turn off the water faucet.
The towel will prevent re contamination by the faucet handle.