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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 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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 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

Positive deviance: a program for sustained improvement in hand hygiene compliance.

Alexandre R Marra¹, Luciana Reis Guastelli, Carla Manuela Pereira de Araújo

¹Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein 627/701, São Paulo, Brazil. alexmarra@einstein.br

American Journal of Infection Control

|February 2, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Positive deviance (PD) significantly improved hand hygiene compliance in hospitals. This approach led to a sustained increase in hand hygiene and a notable reduction in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

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Area of Science:

Infection Control
Healthcare Quality Improvement
Public Health

Background:

Limited data exists on the long-term effectiveness of positive deviance (PD) in maintaining hand hygiene compliance.
Hand hygiene is critical for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate if positive deviance (PD) can achieve sustained improvements in hand hygiene compliance.
To assess the impact of PD on the incidence of device-associated HAIs.

Main Methods:

An observational study was conducted in two step-down units (SDUs) of a private tertiary care hospital.
Hand hygiene compliance was monitored using electronic handwashing counters during a baseline period and an intervention period where PD was applied.
Data on alcohol gel dispensing and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) were collected.

Main Results:

A more than twofold increase in alcohol gel dispensed per month was observed in both units after PD implementation.
Statistically significant reductions in device-associated HAIs were observed in both the East SDU (5.8 to 2.8 per 1,000 device-days) and West SDU (3.7 to 1.7 per 1,000 device-days).

Conclusions:

Positive deviance (PD) effectively promotes sustained improvement in hand hygiene compliance within inpatient settings.
The implementation of PD was associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of device-associated HAIs.