3. Hand hygiene is considered one of the most important
measures that prevent the spread of infection within
hospitals. Hand hygiene is considered a general term
that includes washing the hands with soap and water,
washing and disinfecting them with disinfectants,
disinfecting them by rubbing them with alcohol
solutions, and disinfecting them in preparation for
surgical procedures
.
5. One of the factors is non-compliance with the hand
washing policy
- Skin irritation or dryness due to the use of
antiseptic materials to clean hands
.
- Scarcity or unsuitability of sinks
.
·
- Scarcity of soap
.
·
- Scarcity of drying methods
- Too many tasks and not enough time
7. - Scarcity of staff or hospital overcrowding with
patients
.
·
- Imagine that patients are less likely to transmit
infection if hands are not washed
.
·
- Believing that wearing gloves may replace the need
for cleaning hands
.
·
- Lack of a good role model among colleagues or
superiors
.
·
- Reducing the importance of hand cleaning
.
·
- Lack of knowledge of guidelines and protocols
9. Skin germs
Skin bacteria are divided into two basic categories
:
Resident germs
It contains types of germs (bacteria), which are germs
that it settles in the deep layers of the skin and cannot
be removed using ordinary soap and detergents. Rather,
one should use a product that contains antibacterial
agents to eliminate it or stop its activity
.
11. Transient germs
It includes germs resulting from dealing with the
patient, equipment, or the environment. They are not
usually present in most people and live for a short
period. Infection with these germs is transmitted
through hospitals. They are acquired as a result of direct
or indirect contact with the patient
’
s secretions or
waste, and they can be removed by cleaning. Simple and
effective for the hands
15. be careful
Alcohol alone may cause dry hands, so it is preferable
to add
2
ml of glycerin, propylene glycol, or sorbitol
to every
100
ml of alcohol
.
17. Natural nails and artificial nails
:
Several studies have proven that the areas under the
nails act as a breeding ground for microorganisms. In
addition, the length of nails, whether natural or
artificial, may cause an epidemic outbreak of infection.
In order to prevent the spread of infection, workers in
health facilities should not install any artificial or
similar nails while dealing with patients, while
maintaining the nails short
19. There must be a designated hand-washing sink inside the
clinical care room, and there must be at least one
designated hand-washing sink for every area with four
beds. This sink must be designated for washing hands only,
and not for other purposes such as: pouring liquids and
solutions, washing patients
’
belongings, or washing
various medical tools
.
21. The hands of health workers are considered a major
source of transmission of infection, so it is necessary to
establish a clear hand-washing policy with all workers
adhering to it. Although the use of gloves reduces the
transmission of germs, washing hands before and after
removing the gloves is considered necessary to get rid
of contamination. Which can happen through small
tears that may be in the gloves
27. And in case unable to have running water, we use
:
-
Containers that can be opened and closed using taps
.
-
A container and jug for pouring water
.
-
Massage the hands with the alcohol solution
.
29. Rubbing with alcohol solution
:
When it is not possible to wash hands in health
facilities due to insufficient or inaccessible hand-
washing equipment, and when the hands are not
dirty or exposed to contamination with blood or
other organic materials, it is recommended to rub
the hands with an alcohol-based solution. If the
hands are contaminated with organic materials or if
they are dirty, the hands must be washed routinely
before doing so
.
33. There must be at least one sink designated for washing
hands for every area with four beds. This sink must be
designated for washing hands only, and not for other
purposes such as: pouring liquids and solutions, washing
patients
’
belongings, or washing various medical tools
35. Water temperature
:
Warm water helps disinfectants work more
effectively, but avoid using hot water, as it
destroys the protective oils in the skin
.
37. Chlorine is considered lethal for Gram-positive
bacteria and less for Gram-negative bacteria,
tuberculosis, and viruses
.
·
Its effect is slower than alcohol and does not last as
long as chlorhexidine
.
·
Its effective concentration ranges from
0.3%
to
3.75
it rarely causes allergies and skin infections to
its users
38. Alcohol has an effective effect on the following
microbes
:
·
Gram-positive bacteria respond to the Gram stain
-
Gram-negative bacteria respond to the Gram stain
-
Tuberculosis bacteria Fungi
It has a weak effect on
:
-
Non-enveloped viruses (such as hepatitis A virus and
paralysis virus children
(
Alcohol is quick to kill microbes on the hands, but its
effect does not last for long periods
Alcohol users rarely develop skin allergies as a result of
its use
.
Alcohol is a flammable substance and must be handled
with caution and kept away