REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Microbial load on unwashed hands There are grave consequences when people do not wash their hands or wash them improperly. It is known that hands are the main media for contaminants getting to people, whether the infections are airborne, oral or tactile. Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand to hand contact include the common cold, and several gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea (WaterAid, 2006). Human hands usually harbour microorganisms both as part of a person’snormal microbial flora as well as transient microbes acquired from the environment (Lindberg et al, 2004). According to Kartha (200!), many people consider handwashing a waste of time. However, they are unaware that …show more content…
Curtis et al (2001) noted that modern methods of promoting handwashing can be effective and cost-effective on a large scale. Studies suggest that soap is widely available, even in poor households in developing countries, although it is mostly used for bathing and washing clothes (Borghi et al, 2002). In rural India and Bangladesh, soap is often considered a beautifying agent or for the physical feeling of cleanliness which it gives, rather than being associated with the removal of microorganisms or health benefits (Hoque and Briend, 1991; Hoque et al, 1995). In low income communities, soil, mud or ash may be used as a zero cost alternative to soap for handwashing (Zeitlyn and Islam, 1991). Hoque et al (1995) again reported that altogether, 81% of non-soap users stated that they might use soap, but were unable to afford it. Critical times for handwashing 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. It is possible that people do not wash their hands as often as they should. Handwashing prevents both diarrhoea and respiratory infections effectively whendone properly and at
This could be after changing a nappy, going to the toilet or playing outside. This risk can be minimised by making sure everyone washes their hands before eating and before, during and after preparing meals. Also, ensure that all equipment is clean and in good condition as this can also cause contamination if dealing with raw and cooked foods.
Hand hygiene practices are important thing to infection prevention and control practice. As health provider especially ED staff or front liner, to follow hand washing protocols is necessary in any situation. According Practice Standard (2009) four major elements to preventing practice; hand washing, protective barriers, care of equipment and health practice of nurse. Cite from Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland, scientists has found around 45% of infections can be prevented by washing hands regularly. MOH (2010) increasing in hand-washing compliance by
These microorganisms are transmitted from poor hand hygiene from health care workers to patients as well as touching of contaminated equipment and environmental surfaces. Microorganisms are most commonly introduced to susceptible sites such as open wounds or other portals of entry by contaminated hands. Infection leads to adverse clinical outcomes and can directly threat patient recovery.
4. Based on these results, what is the importance of soap and time for effective hand washing?
Hand washing is the topic for Community Teaching Plan. Hand washing means to wash hands with water and soap, but sometimes without soap to remove the dirt, soil and microorganisms from the hand. Author explains the importance of handwashing, indications proper technique of handwashing. This also covers how handwashing helps in control of disease and infection.
This experiment illustrates the importance of handwashing and proves that hand washing is worth it. Since our hands are constantly coming into contact with ourselves and others, touching surfaces, grabbing objects, being sneezed into, etc., keeping our hands clean is one of the most effective, yet simple way we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running warm water. “The human skin is a host to anywhere between 10,000-10,000,000 bacteria per square centimeter and since health care providers come into contact with pathogenic bacteria by being engaged in patient care, hand washing can reduce the risk of spreading diseases (page 3).” The objective of the experiment is to test the effectiveness of hand washing and demonstrate normal flora. This report presents the procedures and materials for the experiment, the experiment's results, and an analysis of those results.
The importance of proper hand hygiene has been known for many years. “It has long been an established fact that one of the most dangerous agents in the transfer of bacteria is the human hand with its five fingers…Such being the case, pray let us teach our students to wash their hands and see to it that they
This study was intended to prove that hand hygiene practiced according to the CDC guidelines will decrease the incidence of hospital acquired infections. This could not really be proved in this study since the hospitals were not able to maintain improvement in hand hygiene. Health care workers were familiar with guidelines but significant practice changes were not maintained. Some of the infection rates did improve during this time but the correlation with hand hygiene is not consistent. There were other practice changes occurring during this same time and those changes may be responsible for the decreased infection rates.
The article titled, “ ‘Harmless’ Things You Should Really Wash Your Hands After Touching” by William Harris, is that every day of people's lives they get germs from all the things they touch.
Cleanliness is very important for keeping most of disease at bay. So it is essential to inculcate good hygienic habit in children right from early childhood. Washing hand is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of disease.
Healthcare associated infections have an impact on patients - how? Can be prevented greatly with compliance to hand hygiene protocols (REF).
Identify your new learning, giving rationale for your choice of this topic ………….…………… Page 2
You, your child, and any visitors should wash hands often, especially before meals, after being outside, and after using the toilet.
By simply washing your hands and using microbial soaps can prevent the spread of germs. “On average, healthcare providers clean their hands less than half of the times they should. On any given day, about one in 25 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection” (Cdc.gov. 2017). One in 25 patients is like a very high rate of infection that costs the health care system millions of dollars yearly and an unknown number of deaths that could be prevented by taking a few minutes to wash your hands.
The solution to increasing hand-washing compliance does not have a simple, one fix-all answer. Instead, there are a few small ways that can contribute to increasing our hand-washing compliance. Some LHSC locations have made significant progress in compliance rates however, there is still room to improve towards the goal of 100 per cent compliance. Figure 1 provides a graphical representation of the average hand-washing compliance rates for moments 1 and 4 in relation to LHSC’s goal. The compliance rates displayed are shown as an average for the University Hospital and Victoria Hospital.