This document discusses hand washing in a healthcare setting. It defines hand washing as cleansing hands with soap and water to remove dirt, soil, and microorganisms. The purpose of hand washing is to prevent cross-infection and the spread of disease. Proper hand washing technique involves preparing hands, washing for 40-60 seconds using various motions, rinsing, and drying. There are also different types of hand washing for medical and surgical purposes.

1. Amrutha Nayaka P,
3rd year BSc Nursing,
Kidwai College Of Nursing,
Bangalore.

2. Introduction
Asepsis is the state of being free from
disease causing contaminants and
preventing contact with microorganisms.

3. Definition
Hand washing is the act of cleansing the
hands with water and soap for the purpose
of removing soil or microorganism(germs),
in order to prevent cross- contamination and
minimize nosocomial infections.

4. Purpose
To prevent cross infection in the hospital environment.
Removes dirt and soil from hand
Reduces risk of hand acting as carrier of disease.
Breaks the chain of infection spread.
Prevents nosocomial infection.
To control infection.
To ensure patient’s comfort, safety and psychological
well being.

5. Acc. To World Health Organization (WHO) there are ‘five moments’ for
washing hands:
1. Before patient care.
2. After environment contact.
3. After exposure to blood/body fluids.
4. Before doing any procedure.
5. After patient care.

7. Types of taps
1.Elbow Tap
2.Foot Tap
3.Sensor Tap

8. Types of Hand Washing
1) Medical Hand washing
2) Surgical Hand washing

9. Equipment
1. Antimicrobial Soap ( liquid or bar)
2.Warm running water
3. Paper towels/ cloth towel (sterile)
4. Fingernail brush/ Nail cleaner

10. Before Washing The Hands;
Cut the nails
Avoid nail polish
Remove all the rings
Remove wrist watch
Remove bangles and threads

11. 1. Medical Hand washing
The procedure to decontaminate hands using soap and water involves
three stages
1. Preparation,
2. Washing
3. Rinsing and drying
And it should take about 40-60 seconds

12. Procedure
• Wet hands under tepid running water.
• Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces.
1. Rub hands palm to palm

13. 2. Rub back of each hand with palm of other hand with fingers
interlaced

14. 3. Rub hands with fingers interlaced

15. 4. Rub with back of fingers to opposing palms
with fingers interlocked

16. 5. Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand
using a rotational movement

17. 6. Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in a circular motion

18. 7.Rub each wrist with opposite hand.
• Rinse hands thoroughly with running water.
• Use elbow to turn off tap.
• Dry thoroughly with single-use towel.

19. 2. Surgical Hand washing
Surgical hand washing requires the removal and killing of transient
micro-organisms and substantial reduction and suppuration of the
resident flora of the surgical team for the duration of the operation,
in case a surgical glove is punctured/torn, Ensure that fingernails
are kept short and clean.

21. Reference
 I Clement, Textbook of NURSING FOUNDATION, 2nd ed,
Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. 2017, Pg 388-93.
 Celestina Francis – Kritika Misra , Fundamentals of Nursing for
BSc nursing students, 2nd ed, Lotus Publishers, 2019,
Pg 772-73
 Internet