This document discusses proper hand hygiene and its importance in infection control. It outlines the two types of microorganisms on skin - resident and transient - and that transient microbes cause most infections from procedures. Good hand hygiene, including washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs, is the most effective way to prevent disease spread. The document provides guidance on when hand washing and disinfection should occur, such as before and after contact with patients or bodily fluids. It also details the proper hand washing technique of lathering and rubbing for 40-60 seconds.

1. H A N D H Y G I E N E
P A G E 4 2
SECTION 8
Resident micro-organisms (that live on
your skin) and form part of your normal
defence
Transient micro-organisms (not always
present on your skin) are responsible for
most infections associated with Special
Procedures. Transient micro-organisms
are easily removed by good hand
washing.
The hands play a very important part in
infection control.
Good hand hygiene is the single most
effective method of preventing the spread
of infection.
There are two types of micro-organisms on
the skin:
Infection Control -
Good Hand Hygiene
VIDEO CONTENT

2. P A G E 4 3
Hand washing with soap and water
Use of alcohol hand rubs and gels
Hand hygiene includes:
IF YOU
C
O
U
L
D
S
E
E
T
H
E
G
E
R
M
S
Y
O
U
W
O
U
L
D
W
A
S
H
Y
O
U
R
HANDS
Hand washing
Hands must be washed immediately before each and every period of direct client contact
and after any activity or contact that could mean that hands become contaminated or dirty.
A hand wash basin should be used for hand washing ONLY.

3. Alcohol hand rubs make the hands hygienically clean by
killing micro-organisms
Should be used only as an addition to hand washing
they are not effective on dirty hands
They should never be a substitute for hand washing
Before starting work and after leaving the work station
Before and after direct contact with clients
Before and after handling food
After contact with blood or body fluids
Before putting on and after removing gloves
Before performing a procedure
Before and after using the toilet
Before handling equipment
After removing gloves and apron at the end of a
procedure
After using the toilet
After handling contaminated items including waste
After smoking
After contact with blood or body fluids
Poor or infrequent hand washing
Long nails/artificial nails/varnished nails
Jewellery
Nail biting
Wounds that are covered with a waterproof dressing
Use of alcohol hand rubs
BUT –
When to carry out hand hygiene:
What increases the risk of hands transmitting infection?
P A G E 4 4
Correct hand washing with soap and water should take 40-60 seconds

4. P A G E 4 5
1
4
7
10
2
5
8
11
3
6
9
12
Wet your hands
with water
Place the right palm over
the left dorsum with
interlaced fingertips and
vice versa
Rotational rubbing of the
left thumb clasped in the
right hand, and vice versa
Use a single-use towel to
dry your hands properly
Turn off the faucet
using a towel
Well done! Your
hands are safe now
Back and forth rotational
rubbing of clasped fingers
of the right hand in the
left palm and vice versa
Rinse hands
with water
Rub palm to palm
with finger interlaced
Rub opposite palms
with the backs of the
fingertips interlocked
Apply a sufficient
amount of soap on all
hand surfaces
Rub hands
palm to palm
How to Hand Wash
Handwash procedure should last 60 seconds

5. Removing single-use gloves without contaminating your hands
Must be CE-marked for use with ‘biological agents’
Must be regarded as single use
Should be discarded as hazardous (clinical) waste after use
Put on immediately before client contact or procedure
Removed as soon as procedure is completed, or when leaving the client for any
reason.
Changed between different activities for same client
Removed/replaced if they become damaged.
Should not be regarded as a substitute for good hand washing
Should be fit for purpose.
Hand hygiene and glove use
Gloves can be an infection risk if not used properly:
P A G E 4 6
VIDEO CONTENT
Protects the hands of the practitioner from becoming contaminated with dirt and micro-
organisms
This barrier protects the client from any micro-organisms harboured on the practitioner’s
hands
By changing gloves, prevents transfer of micro-organisms from one client to another
Practitioner and Client protection

6. Washing hands includes wrists and forearms
·Fingertips, in between fingers, thumbs and backs of hands are often missed
DON’T FORGET!
P A G E 4 7
1
5 moments of hand hygiene