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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 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...
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.
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing01:10

PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing

The sequence of removing or doffing PPE starts with the gloves, as they are the most contaminated. Next is removal of the face shield or goggles, as they would interfere with removing other PPE. Then remove the gown, followed by the mask or respirator. Perform hand hygiene between steps if hands become contaminated and immediately after removing all PPE. Generally, the outside front and sleeves of the isolation gown, the goggles or the mask, the respirator, and the face shield are contaminated.
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection01:30

Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection

Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization are the methods that help to break the infection chain and prevent disease.
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
09:02

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

Published on: June 7, 2017

Simulated microbe removal around finger rings using different hand sanitation methods.

Archana A Alur1, Madhavi J Rane, James P Scheetz

  • 1Ballard High School, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

International Journal of Oral Science
|August 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Wearing jewelry like finger rings increases the risk of microbial contamination under examination gloves. Thorough handwashing with warm water and soap for longer durations is crucial to minimize this risk in dental settings.

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Published on: March 5, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Infection Control
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) may underestimate the risk of cross-contamination associated with wearing jewelry, such as finger rings, under examination gloves in dental clinics.
  • Recommendations for hand hygiene before donning gloves, including washing for 15 seconds with soap and warm water, may not be sufficient to eliminate microbial load when jewelry is present.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different handwashing procedures and the impact of finger rings on the removal of simulated microbes from gloved hands.
  • To provide evidence-based recommendations for hand hygiene practices in dental settings to mitigate cross-contamination risks.

Main Methods:

  • A simulated microbial contamination model using a gloved rubber hand manikin was employed.
  • Washing procedures varied in duration (5, 15, 25 seconds), water temperature (20°C, 40°C), and the use of liquid hand soap.
  • Fluorescent powder was used to simulate microbes, and light levels before and after washing were measured to quantify microbial removal effectiveness. Statistical analysis included a full-factorial ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test.

Main Results:

  • Increased washing time with a scrub brush under flowing water effectively removed more simulated microbes, with all methods showing similar results by 25 seconds.
  • Warm water combined with liquid hand soap demonstrated superior microbial removal compared to cold water.
  • Simulated microbes were more difficult to remove from the palm than the back of the hand. Finger rings, especially those with stone settings, accumulated and retained microbes more effectively in crevices.

Conclusions:

  • The most effective hand hygiene protocol involved washing with warm water and liquid soap for extended periods.
  • Wearing finger rings under examination gloves should be discouraged due to the challenges in cleaning the sub-ring area and the significant risk of patient-to-healthcare worker cross-contamination.