Hand Hygiene

Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, is the act of cleaning one’s hands with soap and water to remove viruses/bacteria/microorganisms, dirt, grease, or other harmful and unwanted substances stuck to the hands. Drying of the washed hands is part of the process as wet and moist hands are more easily recontaminated.

What are the 7 Steps of Hand Washing?

1. Step 1: Wet Hands. Wet your hands and apply enough liquid soap to create a good lather. …
2. Step 2: Rub Palms Together. …
3. Step 3: Rub the Back of Hands. …
4. Step 4: Interlink Your Fingers. …
5. Step 5: Cup Your Fingers. …
6. Step 6: Clean the Thumbs. …
7. Step 7: Rub Palms with Your Fingers.

Hands are the main pathways of germ transmission during health care. Hand hygiene is therefore the most important measure to avoid the transmission of harmful germs and prevent health care-associated infections.

Hand hygiene is a way of cleaning one’s hands that substantially reduces potential pathogens (harmful microorganisms) on the hands. Hand hygiene is considered a primary measure for reducing the risk of transmitting infection among patients and health care personnel.

Different Levels of Hand Hygiene

• (A) Social Hand Hygiene- Routine Hand Washing. The aim of social (routine) hand washing with soap and warm water is to remove dirt and organic material, dead skin and most transient organisms. …
• (B) Antiseptic Hand Hygiene. …
• (C) Surgical Hand Hygiene.