1. A companion to proper hand hygiene procedures
We don’t want you to get caught with dirty hands. Hand washing is very critical, as it is the number one defense against the spread of germs.
A companion to proper hand hygiene procedures

2. In this segment: You will:
Identify when hand hygiene should take place
Review appropriate hand hygiene products
Review the proper procedure for hand hygiene
Hand washing
Hand sanitizer
This short segment will review the appropriate times to wash hands, when to wash hands and proper hand hygiene procedures

3. Hand Hygiene and ECERS-3
Hand hygiene is observed in the following items:
#8: Meals/snacks
#9: Toileting/diapering
#10: Health practices
Usually = 75% of the time and is considered in the 5’s on all items
It is important to notice there are 3 items which hand washing is observed in the ECERS-3. Hand washing is an important step in having a healthy environment for young children. While it can be difficult to reach 100% hand hygiene everyday, the ECERS-3 sets a standard that hand hygiene should be observed at the appropriate times at least 75% of the time to score in the 5 range

4. Fact or Myth
Antibacterial soap is better than regular soap MYTH Antibacterial soap actually rids good bacteria from hands. The process of washing hands with regular soap is better
80% of all infectious diseases are transmitted by touch
FACT
Through touching, germs are spread quickly and easily
There are 400,000 to 500,000 bacteria per centimeter on your hand
FACT
Fingernails and surrounding area harbor the most bacteria
There are many facts and myths about the importance and reasons for washing hands. Following are 3 questions. Take a moment to identify whether each statement is a fact or myth. Then check your answer with the correct response.
Click to advance each question – Pause.
Antibacterial soap is better – MYTH – summarize statement that it is recommended to use non-antibacterial soap when washing hands.
80% germs spread by touch – FACT. This underlines the importance of handwashing. It also reminds us that touching our faces may increase the likelihood of illness and the importance of sanitizing surfaces.
400, ,000 bacteria are on each cm of your hand. FACT remind that during handwashing it is critical to scrub around the nail area.

5. When to use hand hygiene?
Before meals
After meals, if finger foods are eaten
After toileting/diapering
Upon arrival into the classroom (and re-entry)
Before and after shared use of wet material (ex. playdough, water)
The following 7 occasions require handwashing. Some require handwashing before and after, while others require handwashing after.
Teachers and chidlren should use hand hygiene before meals and if students use their fingers to eat, handwashing should occur after meals as well.
Students and teachers should wash hands after toileting
Any time a person enters the classroom, they should use hand hygiene. Some staff keep sanitizer on a high shelf or stationed high on the outside of their classroom door as a reminder to everyone entering the room to use sanitizer.
Children should wash their hands before and after water or wet play. Some teachers post a picture reminder with a stop sign as a visual to remind children of this step before entering the water area.

6. When to use hand hygiene?
After play with shared sensory material (ex. sand)
After dealing with bodily fluids
After touching contaminated objects (ex. pets, trash)
Children are expected to wash hands after playing in the sand area and after dealing with bodily fluids, such as coughing in hands or sneezing and blowing his/her nose. If staff assist with blowing a child’s nose, then she/he must also wash hands.
Lastly, children and staff should wash hands after touching other contaminated objects such as pets or trash.
Whew! That sure is a lot of hand washing – but don’t worry – we are going to talk now about hand hygiene techniques.

7. What are the options for hand hygiene?
Hand washing
Use of non-antibacterial liquid soap and running water
**Hand washing is required if hands are visibly
soiled
Remember you should use non-antibacterial soap for hand washing.
Hand washing is required if hands are visibly soiled.

8. Steps to hand washing Wet hands Get soap Lather hands for 20 seconds
Sing Happy Birthday twice, or count to 20
Rinse hands under running water
Dry with paper towel
Turn off water with paper towel
Throw paper towel in trash
Let’s review the steps to hand washing.

9. TIPS POST hand washing procedure near sink(s) Have towels accessible
If towel dispenser requires you to turn a knob to roll, roll the paper towel down before beginning hand washing
Some staff choose to keep water running if a group of children are washing hands at the same time
Here are some tips for hand washing.

10. Most common mistakes for hand washing:
Forgetting to:
Wet hands first
Wash for 20 seconds
Use a paper towel to turn off the water
These are the most common issues found in the handwashing procedure

11. What are the options for hand hygiene?
Hand Sanitizer
Sanitizers with 60-95% alcohol
Used with close supervision and per manufacturer’s instructions
Kept out of reach of children
(Some staff wear a small bottle
on a lanyard daily to have
it easily accessible)
The ECERS-3 and Caring for Our Children have approved the use of hand sanitizer in the preschool classroom, but there are guidelines that must be followed.
The sanitizer must be 62-95% alcohol based and used with close supervision

12. To review
Watch this quick video to review important information regarding hand washing
Click HERE
As a review, click on this link to watch a short video about the procedures of hand washing.

13. Can you list the 7 steps to hand washing in 10 seconds?
Wet hands
Get soap
Lather hands for 20 seconds
Sing Happy Birthday twice, or Count to 20
Rinse hands under running water
Dry with paper towel
Turn off water with paper towel
Throw paper towel in trash
Let’s test your memory: Grab a piece of scrap paper and jot down the 7 steps to washing hands.
--wait 10 seconds --- pop the steps on the screen.
How did you do? Did you remember the 7 steps to proper handwashing?

14. Resources: Caring For Our Children
Environment Rating Scale-3 Notes and Additional Information
Here are a few references that will provide additional information to the importance and process for hand washing.

15. For additional information
Contact your Simpson County RTC (270)
For any questions or further information, please feel free to contact your Simpson County Regional Training Center.
Wait a few seconds before closing out.