Hand Washing and Sanitation

Handwashing

The most important part of personal hygiene.

When to wash your hands

\-Before/after contact with patient

\-Before/after wearing gloves

\-Before/after performing procedures

\-After using the bathroom

\-After touching garbage

Handwashing Step 1

Use a disposable paper towel to turn on sink faucet

Handwashing Step 2

Thoroughly wet hands

Handwashing Step 3

Apply a generous amount of soap

Handwashing Step 4

Rub hands together (covering the ENTIRE surface of hand) for 20 seconds

Handwashing step 5

Rinse under running water

Handwashing step 6

Dry hands with a disposable paper towel

Handwashing step 7

Use towel to turn off faucet

Hand sanitizer

Alternatives to handwashing if water and soap are not available, alcohol based

Hand Sanitizer step 1

Fill palm of one hand with sanitizer, as a generous layer is needed

Hand Sanitizer step 2

Spread sanitizer around surface area of hand--don't ignore wrists, try to cover all areas

Hand Sanitizer step 3

Continue to massage sanitizer for 20 seconds

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

barriers such as gloves, mask, gowns, shields, breathing barriers, and protective eyewear

disposable latex-free gloves

For patient contact; protects from picking up pathogens while working

Eye protection

Safety glasses, goggles, or full-face shields--serves to protect the eye and sometimes the entire face

CPR breathing barrier

Resuscitation masks, shields, BVMs; protects disease transmission when performing CPR or giving ventilation

Mask

A personal protective device worn on the face designed to cover the nose and mouth, preventing airborne particles from being inhaled; at least 95% efficiency, must be fit-tested

Gown

Worn when there are large amounts of blood or infectious materials