TITLE: Hand Hygiene
APPLIES TO: VNSNY Home Care
PREPARED BY: Clinical Education
PURPOSE: To reduce the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms.
PROCEDURE:
Hand Hygiene, decontamination of the hands via hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand rubs, is the most important factor in reducing the transmission of organisms.
1. To assure hand hygiene either wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. A waterless alcohol hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
2. Indications for hand hygiene include the following:
a. Upon entering a patient’s home prior to rendering care and upon completion of care
b. After contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non -intact skin and wound sites.
c. Before donning gloves for a sterile procedure
d. After removing gloves
e. When hands are visibly soiled (use soap and water)
f. After using the restroom
3. It is suggested:
a. To refrain from wearing artificial nails or extenders when administering direct care to patients at high risk.
b. Natural nails to be kept less than ¼ inch long.
c. Appropriate hand lotions or creams may be necessary to prevent dermatitis.
4. Hand Hygiene: The Right Way
a. When washing hands with soap and water
· Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
· Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces.
· Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds.
· Rinse hands well under running water. Dry your hands. If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.
B. When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands
· Apply product to the palm of one hand
· Rub hands together
· Rub the product over al surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
STANDARDS:
REFERENCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Hand-Hygiene in Health-Care Setting, Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. MMWR. October 25, 2002 Vol 51. No. RR-16.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Hand Hygiene Fact Sheet; www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs021025.htm
OSHA. Letter to American Health Care Association. Standard Number 1910.1030; 1910.1030(d)(2)(v); 1910.1030(d)(2)(vi)
Division of Health Quality Promotion, National Center for Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases and Division of Food borne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, WWW.cdc.gov/features//handwashing
Hand Hygiene
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