Introduction and Meaning
Hand washing is the single most important procedure for preventing nosocomial infection. In many out breaks , hands of hospital personel ( dokter, nurse,and another health worker) have been identified as the most probable mode of cross infection.Hand washing has been shown to eliminate or markedly reduce hand carriage of pathogenic organism, most of wich is transient flora. Hand washing is defined as a vigorous brief rubbing together of all surface of lathered hands for a certain time followed by rinsing under a sream of water.
CLASSIFICATION OF HANDWASHING
Hand washing can be classified according to the types , intensity and duration of activity. The type of hand washing are recognized in infection control practice.
- Social hand washing
- Hygienic/ antiseptic hand washing
- Surgical scrub/ hand washing (ordinary hand washing).
HANDS WASHING STEPS
- Wet hands with running water.
- A proper hand washing agent should be applied and thoroughly distributed over hands.
- Hands should be rubbed together vigourously for 10 - 15 seconds, generating friction on all surfaces of the hand and fingers.
- Hands should be throughly dried using dispossable paper towels.Cloth towel are not recommended in health care setting because consern regarding contaminate air dryers are also not recommended in health care settings.
- Close the water tap with tissues after washing hands so not to contaminate the washed hand.
