Hand Washing In The Mid-1800s

Mr. Gawande starts his literature on washing hands. He introduces two friends a microbiologist and an infectious disease specialist. Both work hard and diligently against the spread of diseases just like Semmelweis who is mentioned in the chapter. Something I learned, that not many realize, is that each year two million people acquire an infection while they are in the hospital. Mainly because the clinicians only wash their hands one-third to one-half as many times as they should. Semmelweis, mentioned earlier, concluded in 1847 that doctors themselves were to blame for childbed fever, which was the leading cause of

(Nagel 22). Student nurses and volunteers should place emphasis on hand-washing before and after contact

Keeping our hands clean is one of the most effcient and important steps we can do as humans to avoid getting sick or spreading germs to other people. Unwashed hands spread many diseases such as the flue, E. coli, and salmonella. Unfortunately, hand hygiene is still one of today’s most leading causes of infection in health care facilities. The risk of clinicians, patients, and visitors not complying with hand hygiene protocols creates a practice problem for nurses and their patient care. The cause of health care infections, also known as, health care-associated infections (HAIs) are increasing along with the rise of the inability to control or treat infections that are multi-drug resistant. Lack of proper hand hygiene is a major problem in clinical settings sourcing from critical care divisions where the most contaminations are prevalent. This paper will discuss how hand hygiene affects the nursing process and solutions of how to better prevent HAIs within the nursing scope of practice.

Follow Hand Hygiene measures set by the CDC and WHO: Using the CDC and WHO guidelines to improve proper hand hygiene. This will reduce the health care related infections and reduce the transmission of disease from staff to patients (The Joint Commission, 2012)

Health care providers and visitors are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow strict hand hygiene procedures. Contaminated rooms, surfaces, and laundry items are properly disinfected to prevent the spread of MRSA. In addition to policy and procedures, patient teaching is also helpful for preventing exposure and spread of MRSA. As aforementioned earlier, hand hygiene is key to prevent exposer or transmission of the bacteria. To properly wash your hand effectively, first scrub hands rapidly for at least 15 seconds. Next, use a disposable towel to dry them and another towel to turn off the faucet. In addition, hand sanitizer that contains 62 percent or more of alcohol may be an adequate substitute when the individual does not have access to soap and water (Mayo Clinic Staff,

Dr. Gawande 's demonstration of diligence was expressed from his study of the 19th century Vienna on the importance of hand-washing, the care taken to save the wounded in Afghanistan and the drive to eliminate the Poliovirus in India. The task of washing your hands may seem so tedious to some but Dr. Gawande explained the significance in patient care as a prevention of becoming carriers of bacteria. In 1847, a Viennese obstetrician, Ignac Semmelweis was one of the first to realize that doctors were the ones transmitting Steptococcus to mothers and babies during childbirth. This led to what was called "childbed fever" also known as puerperal fever which was a leading cause for maternal death during childbirth. Dr. Semmelweis

One of the commonest modes of transmission for infection is our hands. As care assistants, our hands come into contact with many possible infectious agents such as body excretions and secretions for example blood, urine, faeces, vomit and sputum. If good hand hygiene isn’t practiced, micro-organisms will be passed from one individual to another. General cleanliness, including general, environmental, equipment and materials reduce the sources of infection within the care home.

First, you clean your hands (either wash or use hand sanitizer) prior to entering patients room.

* 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

Hand-washing is an easy and effective way to help prevent infection. Hand hygiene is done frequently throughout the day at ChildServe. This paper will explore the non-compliance of performing hand hygiene to maximize its effectiveness of infection prevention, and the proper ways to do so. It will also discuss how this practice is implemented at ChildServe.

Society has taught us to frequently wash our hands and rarely wonder why beyond the simple fact that it kills germs. According to author David Born, Dr. Ludwig Sammelweis discovered that transmission of germs was causing a high rate of illness and death due to the lack of use of antiseptics. When he tested handwashing, and realized that survival and health rates increased he could conclude that the bacteria and uncleanliness were the cause of illness. By simply using an antiseptic the bacteria were killed and reduced. Now handwashing is a well-known health precaution that is used by millions (Born, 2000). Today the focus is placed on what handwashing methods are most effective. This lab has a specific focus on whether bar soap or antibacterial

Hand care is Just as Important keeping fingernails clean, washed, and manicured. Following the office guidelines on artificial nails and polishes because at some facilities these are not allowed. Prevent Spread of Infections and getting sick from environmental germs. Protecting hands by wearing gloves when preforming certain duties such as assisting the physician during exams, taking a patient vitals, and cleaning exam rooms and lab areas.

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.

Ignaz Semmelweis discovered the need for proper handwashing procedures when he began work at a local maternity clinic in Vienna. (Zoltan) Semmelweis made it his mission as a physician to back any inquiries that he made with scientific evidence. (Admin) Many women gave birth at home during this time period, but those who went to local clinics found themselves at risk of contracting this deadly disease. During this period in history, it was still believed that the origin of infectious diseases was caused by miasma, overcrowding, and poor ventilation, Semmelweis dug further to discover the true origin of the disease. (Zoltan)

The use of soap and water is regarded as the best form of hand hygiene. Hands should be wet and then 3 to 5 ml of soap should be scrubbed into the hands for a minimum of 15 seconds (Bischoff et al., 2000). Hands should be rinsed in a downward motion using a paper towel to dry hands and turn off the faucet. Evidence based practice has shown that alcohol based hand sanitizer can be used when hands are not visibly soiled, before contact with the patient, after contact with the patient, after removing gloves, and after touching of patient belongings. Soap and water is necessary if hands are visibly