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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 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 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...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 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

Surgical hand hygiene: scrub or rub?

A F Widmer1

  • 1University Hospital Basel, Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, Switzerland. awidmer@uhbs.ch

The Journal of Hospital Infection
|March 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Alcohol-based hand rubs offer superior surgical hand hygiene compared to traditional scrubs, reducing infection risk. Proper technique and adherence to standards like EN 12791 are crucial for effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Infection Control
  • Surgical Safety
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Surgical hand hygiene is essential to prevent postoperative infections.
  • Per-operative glove punctures occur in nearly 30% of surgeries, increasing infection risk.
  • Traditional surgical scrubs use antimicrobial soap and water, while alcohol-based hand rubs are a newer alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different surgical hand hygiene methods.
  • To compare alcohol-based hand rubs with traditional surgical scrubs.
  • To highlight the importance of adherence to established standards for surgical hand antisepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of efficacy based on European Norm EN 12791 standards.
  • Assessment of microbial growth delay under gloved hands (remnant effect).

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Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
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Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

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

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Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies
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Microbial Control and Monitoring Strategies for Cleanroom Environments and Cellular Therapies

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  • Evaluation of procedure time and potential for skin irritation.

    • Main Results:

    • Alcohol-based hand rubs demonstrate greater effectiveness and require less time than traditional scrubs.
    • Some alcohol-based products achieve efficacy within 90 seconds, while others require 3-5 minutes.
    • Proper technique and timing are critical for the effectiveness of short-application alcohol-based hand rubs.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol-based hand rubs are the preferred method for surgical hand hygiene.
    • Surgical hand hygiene protocols should meet EN 12791 or equivalent standards.
    • Both alcohol-based rubs and chlorhexidine scrubs can meet required efficacy standards.