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Related Concept Videos

Hand hygiene01:23

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 Steps01:15

Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

To wash hands properly, follow these steps:
Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment01:18

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 Precaution01:26

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...
Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps01:19

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...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

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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Automated Hospital Room Disinfection Utilizing a Novel Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide Microdroplet Disbursing Technology
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Hand hygiene in the intensive care unit.

Sarah Tschudin-Sutter1, Hans Pargger, Andreas F Widmer

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland.

Critical Care Medicine
|July 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Healthcare-associated infections are a major threat, especially in intensive care units. Promoting hand hygiene with alcohol-based handrubs is crucial for preventing infections and the spread of resistant pathogens.

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Area of Science:

  • Infection Control
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) impact millions globally, with intensive care units (ICUs) facing a heightened burden.
  • Multidrug-resistant pathogens complicate treatment, increasing morbidity and mortality in critical care settings.
  • Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing HAIs and curbing pathogen transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of hand hygiene in preventing healthcare-associated infections and multidrug-resistant pathogen transmission.
  • To discuss the efficacy of alcohol-based handrubs as a preferred method for routine hand antisepsis.
  • To identify barriers to hand hygiene compliance and propose practical solutions for improvement, particularly in ICUs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) on hand hygiene.
  • Analysis of the in vitro activity of alcohol-based handrubs against various pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains.
  • Identification of factors influencing hand hygiene compliance, such as equipment usability, staffing, and knowledge.

Main Results:

  • Alcohol-based handrubs demonstrate broad-spectrum efficacy against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including resistant strains like MRSA and VRE.
  • Certain pathogens (e.g., Clostridium difficile, noroviruses) may necessitate specialized hand hygiene protocols.
  • User-unfriendly equipment and staff shortages are significant predictors of noncompliance in ICUs.

Conclusions:

  • Effective hand hygiene, particularly using alcohol-based handrubs, is paramount in reducing HAIs and multidrug-resistant pathogen spread.
  • Addressing barriers through practical strategies like adequate dispenser placement, compliance monitoring, and product selection is essential.
  • Multidisciplinary programs promoting hand hygiene compliance can significantly decrease nosocomial infections.