Hand washing

Since the early 19th century, hand washing has been known to be the most effective method for halting the spread of disease, yet the compliance rate for health care workers is unacceptably low – from 14% to less than 50%, according to an American Nurses Assoication report published in the American Journal of Nursing.

Lack of hand hygiene promotion and administrative sanctions for non-compliance are the main reasons for the low figures. Organizations should actively campaign to have health care workers follow these hand washing procedures:

* wash when hands are visibly soiled, when gloves are removed, before direct contact with a patient and after contact with a patient’s skin or bodily fluids
* the correct method for handwashing is to wet the hands, apply soap and rub vigorously for 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers
* hand gels can be used for disinfection by applying the recommended amount in one palm and rubbing the hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until the hands are dry
* an adverse effect of handwashing is skin irritation; healthcare workers should be provided with lotions that minimize skin irritation
HH