What Is Hand Decontamination?

Hand decontamination is

the use of handrub or handwashing to reduce the number of bacteria on the hands

. The term is often interchangeable with ‘hand hygiene'. … when hands are visibly soiled or potentially contaminated with body fluids or.

When should hands be decontaminated?

As a general rule, hand decontamination is necessary

whenever the health professional moves from one patient to another to engage in any activity that will result in more than superficial contact

. Taking a pulse and serving a meal are often quoted as examples of such minimal patient contact.

How do you decontaminate your hands?

1. Ensure the hands are free of dirt and organic material.
2. Apply a palmful of hand rub in a cupped hand and cover all surfaces (Fig 1).
3. Rub hands palm to palm (Fig 2).
4. Rub back of each hand with palm of other hand with fingers interlaced (Fig 3).
5. Rub hands with fingers interlaced (Fig 4).

What are the two main methods of hand decontamination?

• 1 Hand wash. Hand disinfection is to be performed as the preferred choice when hands are visible clean or dry. …
• 2 Hand disinfection. …
• 3 Surgical hand antisepsis.

What are the three stages of hand decontamination and care?

Patients are put at risk of developing an HCAI when a health care practitioner caring for them has contaminated hands. 2.3 Levels of hand decontamination: There are three main levels of hand decontamination:

Routine, Disinfection and Surgical

.

What will happen if everyone will not wash his hands?

Germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick. Germs from unwashed hands

can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them

. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick.

When should you use alcohol hand rub?

1. Use an alcohol-based handrub when your hands are not visibly soiled.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water when your hands are visibly soiled.

What are the 5 moments of hand hygiene?

• The 5 Moments.
• Moment 1 – before touching a patient.
• Moment 2 – before a procedure.
• Moment 3 – after a procedure or body fluid exposure risk.
• Moment 4 – after touching a patient.
• Moment 5 – after touching a patient's surroundings.

What is the difference between handwashing and hand decontamination?

For people like medical providers who wash their hands multiple times a day, it's helpful to switch between

sanitizing

gel and handwashing. … Hand sanitizer is more precise at killing bacteria and most viruses, but hand washing can effectively remove all dirt, microbes and chemicals on the hands.

What is ABHR in hand hygiene?

Hand Hygiene Basics

1. What is proper Hand Hygiene? Proper hand hygiene requires that all surfaces of the hand (including the backs of the hands, thumbs, wrists, nail beds, and between the fingers) be cleaned using either

an Alcohol-based Hand Rub

(ABHR) or soap and water.

What are the 3 types of hand washing?

• (A) Social Hand Hygiene- Routine Hand Washing. The aim of social (routine) hand washing with soap and warm water is to remove dirt and organic material, dead skin and most transient organisms. …
• (B) Antiseptic Hand Hygiene. …
• (C) Surgical Hand Hygiene.

WHO hand hygiene 7 Steps?

1. Step 1: Wet Hands. Wet your hands and apply enough liquid soap to create a good lather. …
2. Step 2: Rub Palms Together. …
3. Step 3: Rub the Back of Hands. …
4. Step 4: Interlink Your Fingers. …
5. Step 5: Cup Your Fingers. …
6. Step 6: Clean the Thumbs. …
7. Step 7: Rub Palms with Your Fingers.

What products should be used for hand washing?

There are 4 main types of cleansing agent:

soap & water, alcohol based hand rub, hand wipes and antiseptic cleansing agents

.

WHO hand hygiene practices?

Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa; Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right

hand

in left palm and vice versa; Rinse

hands

with water; Your

hands

are now safe. Use towel to turn off faucet; Dry

hands

thoroughly with a single use towel; HOW TO HANDWASH?

How do you do hand hygiene?

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. …
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. …
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

How long is too long to wash hands?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines are to scrub your hands for

at least 20 seconds

. If you have trouble keeping track, try humming the entire “Happy Birthday” song twice before rinsing. Rushing the process can result in cross contamination and increased sickness.