Hand Hygiene and Skin Antisepsis SUMMARY
Updated 05/04 |
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| Introduction |
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Hand Hygiene - Make it take 10
Take 10 - 15 seconds to vigorously rub together all surfaces of
lathered hands and rinse under a stream of water. Dry with a paper
towel. Don't recontamintate- Use a dry paper towel to turn the faucet
off.
Hand hygiene measures are the single most important strategy for
preventing nosocomial infections. Hand hygiene can be achieved with either soap or alcohol
based hand sanitizer. Washing with soap suspends microorganisms and
allows them to be mechanically removed by rinsing. Hand cleansing
with anti-microbial products kills or inhibits the growth of
microorganisms; this process is referred to as antisepsis. Hands
should be cared for so they do not become chapped or irritated.
Artificial Fingernails
Any individual whose responsibilities include direct, hands-on patient
contact may only have natural fingernails. The designation of direct,
hands-on patient contact is intended to include those whose hands come
into direct contact with the patient’s skin. No artificial fingernails
or nail enhancements including, but not limited to overlays, wraps, tips,
or attached decorations, are permitted because of documented outbreaks
of infection due to Gram-negative bacteria that have been associated
with the use of artificial nails. Gram-negative bacteria are known to
adhere to the surfaces of artificial nails, and are known to persist
there even after the appropriate use of hand hygiene cleansing/sanitization
procedures.
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Indications
Wash your hands
10 - 15 second soap and water wash
Soap suspends microorganisms and allows them
to be mechanically removed by rinsing
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Before and After You
Eat
Contact Any Patient
Touch any Wounds
Do Any Invasive Procedures
Use the Restroom
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Before You
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After You
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come on duty
prepare medication
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remove gloves
touch contaminated objects
soil your hands
(ie. sneeze, cough,
blow your nose) |
Clean without water
Use waterless alcohol based hand sanitizer products
which are now accepted forms of proper hand hygiene
Dispensers can be found outside each patient room and in the hallways in the main hospital areas!
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