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Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...

Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

To wash hands properly, follow these steps:

Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps

Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps

The pre-procedure steps of handwashing include removing jewelry and rolling up sleeves. However, many organizations allow staff to wear wedding rings.
The hand washing procedure itself includes the following steps. First, cover cuts, if any, on hands with a waterproof dressing. Cuts and abrasions can become contaminated with bacteria hindering the ability to clean the area thoroughly. In addition, repeated hand washing can worsen an injury. The nails must be short and clean, without nail paint...

Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment

Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment

Handwashing is hand hygiene with plain or antimicrobial soap and water to physically remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. However, it may not kill all microorganisms. The handwashing procedure requires a hand wash basin, liquid soap, paper towels, a domestic waste bin, and disposable nail cleaner as optional equipment.
Hand wash basins in clinical areas should have faucets that can be turned on and off without using the hands; that is, they should be non-touch or lever-operated.

Standard Precaution

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

Published on: June 7, 2017

Improving adherence to surgical hand preparation.

A Kramer¹, N Hübner, H Below

¹Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald.

The Journal of Hospital Infection

|December 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Surgical hand preparation guidelines were updated, recommending against routine washing before disinfection unless visibly soiled. Shortened disinfection times and air-drying hands before gloving improve efficacy and reduce glove perforations.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

Published on: June 7, 2017

Area of Science:

Infection Control
Surgical Hygiene
Public Health

Background:

No universal agreement exists on detailed surgical hand preparation practices.
Previous Franco-German recommendations aimed for a European standard.
Factors influencing efficacy include skin tolerance, duration, and proper technique.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish evidence-based standard procedures for surgical hand preparation.
To evaluate a new hand preparation regime in a university hospital setting.
To address key questions regarding washing, disinfection time, and drying before gloving.

Main Methods:

Literature assessment to inform protocol development.
Implementation of a new hand preparation regime across all surgical disciplines.
Evaluation of specific statements regarding hand washing, disinfection duration, and drying protocols.

Main Results:

Routine pre-disinfection hand washing is not recommended unless hands are visibly soiled.
A shortened 1.5-minute disinfection time is as effective as 3 minutes.
Air-drying hands before gloving reduces glove perforation rates.
Allowing hands to dry for 1 minute post-wash and pre-disinfection enhances disinfectant efficacy.

Conclusions:

The new surgical hand preparation technique was supported by surgical department heads.
Modified practices include minimizing pre-disinfection washing and optimizing drying times.
The updated protocol aims to improve efficacy and safety in surgical hand preparation.