Hand Washing CDC Guidelines For Effective Hand Washing “hand washing is the single most important procedure for preventing the spread of infection”

Effective Hand Washing Turn on the water (avoid using hot water) and use a generous amount of soapTurn on the water (avoid using hot water) and use a generous amount of soap Lather soap and scrub palms and backs of hands for at least secondsLather soap and scrub palms and backs of hands for at least seconds Be sure to wash wrists, in between fingers and under fingernailsBe sure to wash wrists, in between fingers and under fingernails Rinse soap off handsRinse soap off hands Dry hands thoroughly with paper towel or forced warm airDry hands thoroughly with paper towel or forced warm air Turn off faucet with paper towelTurn off faucet with paper towel

Wash Your Hands Before eating or preparing/serving foodBefore eating or preparing/serving food After using the bathroomAfter using the bathroom After smokingAfter smoking After playing outsideAfter playing outside After handling petsAfter handling pets Before and after touching someone who is sickBefore and after touching someone who is sick Before and after performing invasive proceduresBefore and after performing invasive procedures Before and after wound careBefore and after wound care After handling garbage, dirty equipment, dirty utensilsAfter handling garbage, dirty equipment, dirty utensils After removing gloves and between patient care and before changing tasksAfter removing gloves and between patient care and before changing tasks After blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing, touching your hair, face, clothing, eatingAfter blowing your nose, sneezing, coughing, touching your hair, face, clothing, eating After touching contaminated surfacesAfter touching contaminated surfaces

Waterless Hand Cleaning When using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply product (3-5 mL) to palm of one hand and rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.When using an alcohol-based hand rub, apply product (3-5 mL) to palm of one hand and rub hands together, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. If hands are visibly soiled, wash them with soap and water first, dry them, then apply waterless product as described.If hands are visibly soiled, wash them with soap and water first, dry them, then apply waterless product as described.

Cleaning Agents Use regular soap, preferably from a pump dispenser. If bar soaps are used, they should be small and kept in a drainage rack. Antibacterial soap isn’t necessary and may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.Use regular soap, preferably from a pump dispenser. If bar soaps are used, they should be small and kept in a drainage rack. Antibacterial soap isn’t necessary and may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Allergic contact dermatitis due to alcohol rubs is very uncommon, but with increasing use of such products it is likely that true allergic reactions will occasionally be encountered.Allergic contact dermatitis due to alcohol rubs is very uncommon, but with increasing use of such products it is likely that true allergic reactions will occasionally be encountered. Alcohol-based hand rubs take less time to use than traditional hand washing.Alcohol-based hand rubs take less time to use than traditional hand washing. Antimicrobial-impregnated towelettes are not as effective as washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.Antimicrobial-impregnated towelettes are not as effective as washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs. Wash hands with non-antimicrobial soap and water or with antimicrobial soap and water if exposure to Bacillus anthracis is suspected or proven. The physical action of washing and rinsing hands is recommended because alcohols, chlorhexidine, iodophors and other antiseptic agents have poor activity against spores.Wash hands with non-antimicrobial soap and water or with antimicrobial soap and water if exposure to Bacillus anthracis is suspected or proven. The physical action of washing and rinsing hands is recommended because alcohols, chlorhexidine, iodophors and other antiseptic agents have poor activity against spores.

Statistics for Hand Washing Efficacy Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common coldNearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold One study involving Detroit school children showed that scheduled hand washing, at least 4 times a day, can reduce gastrointestinal illness and related absences by more than 50%One study involving Detroit school children showed that scheduled hand washing, at least 4 times a day, can reduce gastrointestinal illness and related absences by more than 50% 76 Million people get diarrhea and upset stomachs from improper hand hygiene every year76 Million people get diarrhea and upset stomachs from improper hand hygiene every year Diarrhea is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost working time, with about 25 days lost from work or school each year for every 100 AmericansDiarrhea is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost working time, with about 25 days lost from work or school each year for every 100 Americans 325,000 people will be hospitalized as a result of improper hand hygiene325,000 people will be hospitalized as a result of improper hand hygiene 5,000 unnecessary deaths are related to improper hand hygiene5,000 unnecessary deaths are related to improper hand hygiene

Incentives for Hand Washing

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