DEFINITION HAND HYGINE

Hand washing or hand hygiene is the act of cleaning one's hands with or without
the use of water or another liquid, or with the use of soap can help prevent the spread of
germs

(bacteria

or

viruses)

that

cause

infection

and

diseases

purpose

of

removing soil, dirt, and/or microorganisms.

Through hand washing is necessary using :

soap and water, when hands are visibly dirty or soiled

alcohol-based hand rubs, when hands are not visibly soiled.

IMPORTANCE OF HAND HYGIENE

Hand hygiene is considered to be one of the most common ways that transmission
of infection occurs. Effective, timely hand hygiene can contribute significantly to
reducing the risks of transmission.
Healthcare staffs have the greatest potential to spread micro-organisms that can cause
infection. Hands can

transfer the patients own micro-organisms into sterile areas of the patients own

body during care or treatment

transfer micro-organisms from one patient to other patients
transfer micro-organisms from the environment and equipment to a patient
Acquire micro-organisms as a result of their contact with patients which place
healthcare staff at risk of infection.

Effective hand hygiene removes all transient micro-organisms and most resident microorganisms from soiled hands

 WHEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SHOULD WASH THEIR HANDS

Health care providers are expected to clean their hands with waterless hand
sanitizer or soap and water:
Five moment hand hygine for healthcare workers

 6 STEP FOR HAND WASHING

REFERENCE
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/21655/response/54323/attach/html/4/foiextract20120
728-17986-pjh75f-0-16_1.png acess on friday 27-03-2015
http://www.who.int/gpsc/tools/Pocket-Leaflet.pdf?ua=1 acsess on Friday 03-04-2015
http://www.candi.nhs.uk/_uploads/documents/miscellaneous/handwashing_posteraugust2008.pdf