Infection control hand hygiene
Purpose:
1. To reduce the risk of transmission of blood & body fluids exposure.
2. Applies to all patients receiving care in hospitals.
3. To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from HCW to patients or from patient to HCW.
4. Preventing the transmission of hospital-acquired infections.
Definitions
Routine Hand wash:
1. Routine hand washing is the removal of dirt, organic material, and transient microorganisms. For most
routine activities washing with plain soap is sufficient,
2. Routine hand washing is an essential step before surgical scrub and it is preferably done before aseptic
hand wash or alcohol rubs if the hands are visibly contaminated.
Antiseptic Hand wash or alcohol-based handrub
An antiseptic hand wash or alcohol based hand rub is one that will reduce concentration of resident flora
as well as inactivate transient microorganisms from hands. Hand antisepsis is achieved by hand washing
with antiseptic preparations (iodophors or chlorhexidine) or by use of alcohol-based antiseptic hand rubs.
Surgical Hand Antisepsis
Preoperative antisepsis Kills transient flora and reduces resident flora.
Policy:
1. Hand washing facilities should be conveniently located throughout the hospital.
2. A sink should be located inside every patient room. More than one sink per room may be necessary if a
large room is used for several patients.
3. Hand washing facilities should be located in patient rooms where diagnostic or invasive procedures
that require hand washing are performed (e.g., cardiac catheterization, bronchoscopy, sigmoidoscopy,
etc.).
4. Do not wear artificial nails or extenders when providing patient care and keep natural nails less than ¼
inches long. Jewelries should not be worn during working except wedding ring.
5. Disposable paper towels should be used to dry hands.
Purpose:
1. To reduce the risk of transmission of blood & body fluids exposure.
2. Applies to all patients receiving care in hospitals.
3. To reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from HCW to patients or from patient to HCW.
4. Preventing the transmission of hospital-acquired infections.
Definitions
Routine Hand wash:
1. Routine hand washing is the removal of dirt, organic material, and transient microorganisms. For most
routine activities washing with plain soap is sufficient,
2. Routine hand washing is an essential step before surgical scrub and it is preferably done before aseptic
hand wash or alcohol rubs if the hands are visibly contaminated.
Antiseptic Hand wash or alcohol-based handrub
An antiseptic hand wash or alcohol based hand rub is one that will reduce concentration of resident flora
as well as inactivate transient microorganisms from hands. Hand antisepsis is achieved by hand washing
with antiseptic preparations (iodophors or chlorhexidine) or by use of alcohol-based antiseptic hand rubs.
Surgical Hand Antisepsis
Preoperative antisepsis Kills transient flora and reduces resident flora.
Policy:
1. Hand washing facilities should be conveniently located throughout the hospital.
2. A sink should be located inside every patient room. More than one sink per room may be necessary if a
large room is used for several patients.
3. Hand washing facilities should be located in patient rooms where diagnostic or invasive procedures
that require hand washing are performed (e.g., cardiac catheterization, bronchoscopy, sigmoidoscopy,
etc.).
4. Do not wear artificial nails or extenders when providing patient care and keep natural nails less than ¼
inches long. Jewelries should not be worn during working except wedding ring.
5. Disposable paper towels should be used to dry hands.
