Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Prehospital Thrombolysis: A Manual from Berlin
Published on: November 26, 2013
[Basic Knowledge of Hygiene in Voluntary Disaster Control Using - German Red Cross in the Rhein-Erft District as an
Christoph Wiese1,2,3, Gerhard A Wiesmüller2,3
1Bildungszentrum, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband Rhein-Erft e.V., Bergheim, Germany.
Abstract:
Full-time workers in the rescue service are often exposed to a risk of infection. The volunteers of the German disaster control (Katastrophenschutz; KatS) are exposed to a similar risk of infection when they are deployed. The aim of this study was to investigate the hygiene status of the two operational units of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz; DRK) in the Rhein-Erft District (Rhein-Erft-Kreis; REK). The 66 volunteers of the two operational units (Einsatzeinheiten; EE) "NRW BM 05" and "NRW BM 02" were assessed by means of a written questionnaire. The results showed that they had good general knowledge of hygiene.There were, however, deficits in the knowledge of specific diseases and some multi-resistant pathogens. In general, perceived risk varied greatly, and was often above 5 on a scale from 1-10, where "1" stands for no perceived risk and "10" for high perceived risk. Thus, there is a certain "concern" about getting an infection in action. Appropriate training courses are needed to optimize this situation in the future.
Related Concept Videos
Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of 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....
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
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...
Standard Precaution
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 Steps
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...
Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

