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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...

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 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.

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 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 hand hygiene adherence among nursing staff.

Sarah Harne-Britner¹, Marianne Allen, Kimberly A Fowler

¹Nursing Professional Development, PinnacleHealth System, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101, USA. sharne-britner@pinnaclehealth.org

Journal of Nursing Care Quality

|April 22, 2010

Summary

Educational and behavioral interventions improved hand hygiene adherence initially but not long-term. The study found no significant impact on healthcare-associated infection rates.

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Area of Science:

Healthcare quality improvement
Infection prevention and control
Behavioral science in medicine

Background:

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant patient safety concern.
Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention but adherence is often suboptimal.
Effective strategies to improve and sustain hand hygiene are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the immediate and lasting effects of educational and behavioral interventions on hand hygiene adherence.
To examine the correlation between hand hygiene adherence and HAI rates.
To assess the impact of interventions in a healthcare setting.

Main Methods:

A quasi-experimental study design was employed.
Interventions included education paired with positive reinforcement behavioral strategies.
Hand hygiene adherence was monitored over a 6-month period.
Healthcare-associated infection rates were compared between intervention and control groups.

Main Results:

A statistically significant improvement in hand hygiene adherence was observed after the first month (χ² = 4.27; P = .039).
This improvement in adherence was not sustained beyond the initial month, diminishing over the 6-month study period.
No significant differences in healthcare-associated infection rates were found between the group receiving interventions and the control group.

Conclusions:

While educational and behavioral interventions can enhance hand hygiene adherence in the short term, sustained adherence requires further strategies.
Current intervention approaches did not demonstrate a significant impact on reducing healthcare-associated infection rates in this study.
Further research is needed to develop and test interventions that promote long-term hand hygiene compliance and ultimately reduce infections.