While we are all growing up, we are constantly reminded to wash our hands. Make sure you wash your hands before you eat dinner. Please ensure that you wash your hands after using the restroom. It is especially crucial to keep these safe and effective hand washing practises in mind when working in a commercial setting. There are three different types of hand washing techniques. Why is it vital to perform each of these forms of handwashing, and how is it that they are distinct from one another? There are a number of key considerations that absolutely everyone needs to bear in mind.
Why is it so important to decontaminate one's hands?
Decontaminating one's hands at a hospital can safeguard not just the patient or visitor, but also the healthcare worker from contracting potentially harmful microorganisms on their hands. Even in a home that is meticulously cleaned on a regular basis, there is no way to eradicate all microorganisms. Decontaminating one's hands both before and after meals, as well as on a number of other times, is therefore strongly recommended in order to prevent cross-transmission.
What exactly is meant by "cross transmission"?
The spread of organisms between human hosts is referred to as cross-transmission. Direct transmission can take place through a person's hands, while indirect transmission can take place through an environmental source, such as a toilet or washbowl. It is the precursor to cross-infection, and epidemiological research suggests that hand-mediated cross-transmission is a significant factor contributing to the present infection concerns.
Classification of the Flora of the Hand
The microorganisms that colonise hands can be divided into two categories:
- Organisms that live permanently in the skin and do not easily cause infection since they are found in its deeper layers. It is usual practice to refer to them as normal flora or commensals.
- Organisms that are only there temporarily and lie on the surface of the skin; they are easily picked up and passed on to other people. It is possible for a person's hands to get contaminated by direct contact with another human, indirect contact with patients or another human through the use of equipment, or contact with the overall atmosphere.
It is possible to eradicate around 98% of fleeting microorganisms from one's hands by thoroughly washing them with liquid or foam soap and water on a routine basis. When used on clean hands, alcohol hand rubs can produce the same or even better log reduction than washing your hands with soap and water.
Hand Hygiene And Hand Washing
The practice of washing one's hands falls within the broader category of hand hygiene. Handwashing, using antiseptic handwash, rubbing your hands with antiseptic hand rub, and surgical hand antisepsis are all examples of what the World Health Organization refers to under the umbrella term of "hand hygiene." Get familiar with the following terms if you want to have a better understanding of this study guide:
- Hand Hygiene: Handwashing, antiseptic handwash, antiseptic hand massage, and surgical hand antisepsis are all examples of what are referred to under this umbrella phrase.
- Hand Washing: Hand hygiene is described as the practice of washing one's hands with water and regular (i.e., non-antimicrobial) soap.
- Antiseptic Hand Wash: A word that describes the process of washing one's hands with antibacterial soap and water.
- Surgical Hand Antisepsis: A surgical hand scrub is the common name for this procedure. Before beginning the sterile treatment, it is necessary to perform this step in order to rid the hands of as many germs as possible.
The Guiding Principles And Ideas Of Proper Hand Hygiene
- Instead of a basin, you are required to use a sink with running water and a drain that leads outside.
- You are welcome to use soap, and if necessary, antibacterial soap.
- In order to facilitate the eradication of bacteria, you are required to rub your hands against one another for at least thirty seconds.
- Nails that are too long and jewellery both harbour bacteria. It is advisable to cut fingernails to a reasonable length. In the event that you do wear a ring, it is recommended that you do not take the ring off prior to engaging in hand washing so that the ring itself can be cleaned.
- While drying your hands, it is always preferable to use disposable paper towels rather than a cloth towel because paper towels can be used only one time while cloth towels can be reused multiple times.
- In the absence of an optimal sensor or foot pedal, it is advisable to turn off the faucet by using a paper towel because it is always assumed to be unclean.
- It is important to use soap dispensers until they are totally depleted of their contents. After it has been used up, you should wash it before you use it again.
Types Of Hand Washing Categories
The following categories fall under the umbrella term "hand hygiene":
1. Social Hand Washing
The purpose of social hand washing is to rid one's hands of any and all visible dirt and debris, as well as to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and bacterial growth. In addition to this, it eliminates any momentary microorganisms that may be present on the surface of the skin. This is a significant practice for infection management, and it is also a societal norm that has been established with the goal of minimising the dispersal of hazardous viruses throughout society. This method of washing one's hands should be carried out before eating, after using the restroom, and before any situation in which one is going to come into direct physical contact with another person.
During social interactions, participants wash their hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. As part of a healthy hand washing routine, individuals should scrub their wet hands in a circular motion for a period of thirty seconds. This will ensure that their hands are well cleaned. After washing their hands, individuals should dry them using either a paper towel or a clean towel. After going through the motions of washing their hands for a specific reason, the person is left with clean hands.
2. Antiseptic Hand Washing
When compared to the more casual practice of social hand washing, the antiseptic method of hand washing is considered to be more thorough. The bacteria that live on the surface of the skin can be eliminated with the help of this method. Moreover, it lessens the amount of resident germs or viruses that are normally found on the surface. In a medical or healthcare setting, the procedure of washing one's hands thoroughly prior to having any kind of contact with a patient or staff member is standard practice.
Also, it is used frequently in the hospitality and catering sector. While cleaning the surface of the skin, in addition to using hot water, antiseptic chemicals may also be utilised. Iodine and chlorhexidine are two examples of such chemicals.
3. Surgical Hand Washing
Hand washing procedures for surgical patients are the most rigorous and comprehensive kind, and there are considerable distinctions between them. This is a cleaning treatment that is used before sterile operations, including surgical procedures, and as the name suggests, it is utilised prior to sterile operations. In addition to removing bacteria that are only present temporarily, the process of washing one's hands destroys microorganisms that are resident on the surface of the skin. Soon after finishing this hand washing technique, surgical gloves are typically put on to prevent bacteria from returning to the surface of the skin. This is done so that the treatment can continue uninterrupted.
Hands and forearms are washed thoroughly up to the elbow during surgical hand washing procedures. Instead of requiring direct human interaction, water is controlled by sensors. After washing the skin with antiseptic soap for a full minute, it is then thoroughly rinsed to remove any remaining residue. When the skin is cleaned, only sterile cloths are used. This guarantees that medical treatments are carried out correctly and that both the patient and any medical instruments used in the process are protected from any form of cross contamination or infection.
Final Thoughts
For maximum benefits of hand washing make it a routine to wash your hands twice a day. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after coming home from work to avoid spreading any germs. After washing our hands, we can eat without worrying about becoming sick. It's recommended that pet owners wash their hands after interacting with their animals. The restroom is a major breeding ground for germs. After using them, you should clean your hands well.
