Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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 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...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Preparedness for infection prevention and control practice among undergraduate students: A systematic review.

Journal of infection prevention·2025

Same author

Infection prevention and control blind spots in education and practice: Qualitative insights from healthcare professionals and healthcare students.

Journal of infection prevention·2025

Same author

After boom.

Nature·2025

Same author

Preparedness for infection prevention and control practice among undergraduate health sciences students: A systematic review protocol.

Journal of infection prevention·2024

Same author

Candidate 1143172 cover letter: Junior pot scrubber.

Nature·2024

Same author

Plastic-eating fungus caused doomsday<sup>[2][3]</sup>.

Nature·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 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

Perceptions, attitudes, and behavior towards patient hand hygiene.

¹Department of Infection Prevention and Control, University of Dundee School of Nursing & Midwifery, Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, United Kingdom. e.burnett@dundee.ac.uk

American Journal of Infection Control

|July 25, 2009

Summary

Clinical nurses have positive views on patient hand hygiene but this does not translate to consistent patient practice. Understanding and addressing barriers to patient hand hygiene is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections.

More Related Videos

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Published on: February 24, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 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

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology

Published on: February 24, 2026

Area of Science:

Infection Control
Healthcare Quality Improvement
Nursing Research

Background:

Hand hygiene is critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Current strategies often overlook patient hand hygiene.
This study investigates nurses' perspectives on patient hand hygiene in hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore clinical ward nurses' perceptions, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors regarding patient hand hygiene.
To identify factors influencing nurses' engagement with patient hand hygiene practices.

Main Methods:

A descriptive, cross-sectional survey utilizing mixed methodologies.
Questionnaires were administered to clinical ward nurses in an acute hospital setting.

Main Results:

Nurses showed positive perceptions and attitudes toward patient hand hygiene.
Perceptions and attitudes were not independently linked to positive self-reported behavior.
A weak negative correlation existed between perceptions/attitudes and self-reported behavior.

Conclusions:

Patients are not consistently offered opportunities for hand hygiene, despite its importance in HAI prevention.
Human behavior is complex, influenced by biological, environmental, educational, and cultural factors.
Acknowledging and addressing nurses' beliefs and barriers is essential for improving patient hand hygiene.