Hand washing for hand hygiene is the act of cleansing the hands with or without the use of water or another liquid, or with the use of soap, for the purpose of removing soil, dirt, and/or micro-organisms.

The main medical purpose of washing hands is to cleanse the hands of pathogens (including bacteria or viruses) and chemicals which can cause personal harm or disease.

This is especially important for people who handle food or work in the medical field, but it is also an important practice for the general public.

Illnesses Caused by Inadequate Hand Hygiene

• airborne diseases, • measles • chickenpox • Influenza (FLU) or the common cold• tuberculosis • It protects best against diseases transmitted

through fecal-oral routes (such as many forms of stomach flu) and direct physical contact (such as impetigo).

Hand Antiseptic

A hand sanitizer or hand antiseptic is a non-water-based hand hygiene agent.

In the late 1990s and early part of the 21st century, Alcohol rub non-water-based hand hygiene agents (also known as alcohol-based hand rubs, antiseptic hand rubs, or hand sanitizers) began to gain popularity.

Hand sanitizers containing a minimum of 60 to 95% alcohol are efficient germ killers.

Alcohol rub sanitizers kill bacteria, multi-drug resistant bacteria (MRSA and VRE), tuberculosis, and viruses (including HIV, herpes, RSV, rhinovirus, vaccinia, influenza, and hepatitis) and fungus

• http://www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/communicable/handwashing/Hand-Washing_6-Steps.pdf

Hand washing is the best way to prevent infections!

I. Apply soap to produce latherII. Wet hands with warm water to melt the

soapIII. Rub for 10-20 seconds to remove 80% of

germsIV. Rinse away germsV. Dry hands with paper towelVI. Turn off tap with paper towel

Pros and cons of hand washing practices

Prosi. helps minimize the spread of influenzaii. diarrhea prevention iii. avoiding respiratory infections iv. a preventive measure for infant deaths at their

home-birth-deliveries Cons• prone to skin damage

What are some mistakes I should avoid regarding hand washing?

× Don’t use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.

× Don’t use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.

× Don’t use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in childcare or food preparation settings.

× Don’t use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths unless you launder them on a regular basis, adding chlorine bleach to the wash water. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHISh559oho

Here is a Video on Washing Your Hands…