Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs

Steeve & Mallison (1975) stated hand hygiene has often been singled out as the most important procedure in preventing infection. Guidelines from national and international infection prevention and control organizations acknowledged that hand washing is the single most important procedure for preventing infections (Ganner and Favero,1985).

Another problem that goes with the lack of hand-hygiene compliance is the many excuses that healthcare workers use to avoid washing their hands. Hass and Larson summarize (2009) some of the barriers to adherence that healthcare workers use, “a lack of access to hand-washing sinks, insufficient time, skin irritations, and lack of accountability” (Hass & Larson, 2009). Some solutions they explain to combat the barriers are to put more alcohol-based sanitizers where sinks are not around and placing them all over the patient care areas also reduces time and can be a suitable way for proper hand hygiene if the healthcare worker’s hand is not soiled. They also describe, “Involve staff in trying several alcohol-based hand sanitizers before deciding on one, and involve employee health services in creating a plan to manage hand-skin problems among staff. Alcohol-based sanitizers that have lotion in them can be helpful for staff who have very sensitive skin” (Hass & Larson, 2009).

Dirty hands is the common source of spreading infection. It is very important to keep hands clean to avoid getting infected and spreading infection in the community. It is important to wash hands to keep hands clean. There are two ways to keep hand clean, one way is wash hands with soap and warm water while rubbing hands together for minimum 15 to 30 seconds. Indication of washing hands with soap and water is when hands are visibly dirty, before and after eating, feeding, using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after using gloves, taking care of patients. There is also second way to clean hands, but it is advisable to wash hands with soap and water all the time, but it can ignore when soap and water is not available so it is okay to use hand gel or foam in the form of sanitizer. This helps to clean hands or kill germs when hands are not visibly dirty.

Thesis Statement: The spread of many germs and viruses can be reduced by hand washing with soap and water. Hand washing is important because it can help protect from many diseases, if you properly wash your hands this will cut down on the spreading of germs and viruses and in turn make the world a healthier place.

To help the prevention of infection spreading is by knowing the method of washing your hand because we carry most bacteria sue to the open air that we come in contact with. For example we use are hands to shake hands with someone holding or touching objects. When you are performing any form of hand hygiene you will need to make sure that you have washed your hand with anti-bacterial liquid soap; this is to help prevent any bacteria which we already have on our hands. In all health and social care settings an automatic liquid dispenser should be placed so that when washing hands any individual doesn’t touch or need to even sneeze any part of the liquid

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of hand hygiene and how it decreases the transmission of infection throughout (Bloomfield, Aiello, Cookson, O'Boyle, & Larson, 2007). Handwashing can include alcohol based hygiene items and handwashing with soap and water. This study main focus was on North American and Europe. There is plenty of supporting rationale to backup why this study was conducted. Some of the few things this study wanted to achieve are hand hygiene is key to staying healthy and reducing infection. This needs to be followed both in the workplace and around the community to abstain from infections. Handwashing can be achieved by soap and water or hand sanitizers that removes or eliminates many microorganisms on the surface of the hand (de Oliveira Dourado, da Costa Barros, Diogo de Vasconcelos, & da Silva Santos, 2017). This can impact many individuals by using this technique to keep foreign germs off of the hands. The importance of washing hands

Hand hygiene is a general term that refers to any action of hand cleaning. This include disinfecting agent such as alcohol or soap and water. Hand Hygiene ought to be directed by healthcare professionals before seeing patients, after contact with organic liquids, before intrusive techniques, and in the wake of expelling gloves (Burns, Bradley, Weiner, 2012). The WHO offers a slight variety by suggesting five key moments when human services specialists ought to practice hand cleanliness: before patient contact, before an aseptic errand, after natural liquid presentation hazard, after patient contact, and after contact with patient environment. Intercessions included expanding sink or liquor based arrangement accessibility, instruction, and

Handwashing – It is important to wash your hands as a lot of the germs and bacteria you face in your work role will be passed on by hands. Hands should be washed after sneezing or coughing, toileting, eating (Before and after), Handling food (Before and after to avoid cross contamination) and also when you come into contact with a child/object that may be at risking of passing on infections or illnesses.

Using Alcohol-based Hand Rub: Push the dispenser once and coat all surfaces of your hands including between fingers, under finger nails, back of hands and wrists. After that Rub hands together briskly until dry. In this case no rinsing needed (Bhalla A, 2004). Alcohol-based hand rub should not be executed when hands are visibly soiled or

An intact skin is a natural barrier to infection, consequently all care workers need to be aware of the potentially damaging effects of frequent hand washing and the use of alcohol hands rubs. Care workers should protect and maintain their skin integrity and minimise the risk of skin irritation by observing the following . Always wet hands before applying soap. Rinse hands thoroughly after washing to remove all traces of soap. Use good quality paper towels to dry hands thoroughly, including the area between the fingers. Regularly use aqueous based hand creams to keep the skin moist and supple. Do not wear gloves for any longer than is necessary for the task. Always fluids, secretions and excretions, or chemicals. Use a moisturising hand cream

faucet. In contrast, 84% of observed use of alcohol-based handrubs (AHRs) met CDC (2002) criteria. Substandard AHR use included not rubbing the AHR over the entire hand and not allowing the hands to dry before touching something/someone. Likewise, Kwok, Gralton, and McLaws (2015) found medical students touched their faces 23 times per hour, mouth 4 times per hour, and nose 3 times per hour. Given the high frequency of mucosal contact, HH is essential to prevent pathogen transmission and colonization.

If running water is not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

* Hand washing is the most important method of preventing the spread of infection by contact (Ayliffe et al 1999). The Nottingham University Trust Policy on Hand Hygiene (2009) states that there are three types of hand hygiene, the first is ‘routine hand hygiene’ which involves the use of soap and water for 15 – 20 seconds or the application of alcohol hand rub until the hand are dry. The second is ‘hand disinfection’ which should be used prior to an aseptic procedure by washing with soap and water and applying alcohol hand rub afterwards. The third is ‘surgical hand washing’ which is the application of a microbial agent to the hands and wrists for two minutes. In addition to which a sterile, disposable brush may be used for the first surgical hand wash of the day although continued use will encourage colonisation of microbes. The third example is the most appropriate to any O.D.P undertaking the surgical role as it is the best way for the surgical team to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora (World Health Organization 2010). The first and second are important to any O.D.P undertaking any other role within the Operating Department as this is the best way to reduce the transient microbial flora without necessarily affecting the resident skin flora

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water.

A defensive strategy is important when trying to avoid infecting oneself with an illness lying in wait (Wisegeek.com, 2011). According to Mayo Clinic (2009), frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Although it is impossible to keep hands germ-free, washing hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.