Name: Section:

SURGICAL HANDWASHING WITH BRUSHLESS ANTISEPTIC HAND RUB

DEFINITION
The use of antiseptic hand rub or antimicrobial agent performed preoperatively by the surgical team for the
removal and killing of transient microorganism and substantial reduction of the resident skin flora.

PURPOSES
- To significantly remove debris and transient microorganisms from the nails, hands, and forearms.
- To reduce the resident microbial count to a minimum.
- To inhibit rebound growth of microorganisms.

EQUIPMENT
 Antiseptic hand rub
 Lukewarm running water
 Orange stick or file
 Cap
 Eyewear
 Mask

Considerations before the procedure:

- Prepare the necessary equipment.
- Nails should be kept short and clean. Assess the hands for breaks in the skin and cuticles.
- Remove watch and jewelries.

Things to follow up after the procedure:

- Do after care.
- Allow the hands to dry before donning gloves.
- If faucet is hand operated, use a paper hand towel to turn it off.

Things that need to be documented:

Surgical handwashing done.

Things to remember to maintain safety:

- Check the water temperature.
- Check hands for open wounds and cuts.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:
C –The step was correctly performed
X- The step was not performed
N- The execution of the step needs improvement
R- The step was correctly performed after remediation

PROCEDURE
1. Put on mask, cap and protective eyewear.
2. Roll your sleeves above your elbows and remove
your watch and jewelries.
RATIONALE CX NR
To protect oneself from infection and to
prepare for the operation.
- Long sleeves prevent washing of wrists and
will easily become contaminated and can be
a route of transmission of microorganisms.
 - Removal of jewelry facilitates proper
cleansing. Microorganisms collect in
jewelry and watch bands.
3. Turn on the water using the foot or knee control. Too much force can cause splashing.
Adjust the water temperature. Water splashed from the contaminated
sink will contaminate clothing.
PRE-SCRUB WASH
4. Wet hands and arms under running water. Always The water should flow from the least
keep hands above the elbows. contaminated (hands) to the most
contaminated area (arms).
5. Dispense sufficient amount of liquid soap and lather Adequate amount of product is required to
hands and arms up to 2 inches above elbows. thoroughly cover hand surfaces. All
surfaces must be covered to ensure
effective reduction of microorganisms.
6. With hands always above the elbows, rinse Water should run from cleaner area
hands and arms thoroughly under running water. (hands) down the elbow.
7. Dispense liquid soap about 2-5 ml again and spread Soap lather emulsifies fats and aids in
over the entire area of the hands and arms. Add cleansing.
water gradually to make plenty of
lather.
8. Rub hands vigorously to form suds, work lather Rubbing hands vigorously helps loosen dirt
over hands and arms. Rub one lathered hand and microorganisms.
against the other.
9. Work hands between fingers and high up on - The circular action creates friction that
elbow. helps remove microorganisms
a) Use a rotary motion (as opposed to back & mechanically.
forth) friction. - Interlacing the fingers and thumbs
b) Pay particular attention to the areas between cleans the interdigital spaces.
your fingers and to your knuckles.
10. Repeat the procedure (steps 7-9) with the other To ensure effective handwashing.
hand.
11. Using an orange stick or file, clean nails as Orangewood stick helps remove dirt and
necessary. Rinse hands afterwards. reduces chance of microorganisms under
the nails.
BRUSHLESS HAND RUB
12. Dispense 2 ml of Antimicrobial agent/Hand rub - Too much hand rub will take longer to dry
into the palm of one hand. Dip the fingertips of the and may consequently cause delays; too
opposite hand into the hand prep and work it under the little will not decontaminate hands
nails. adequately.
- Dipping of fingertips will allow to remove
transient dirt and microorganisms under
nails.
13. Spread the remaining hand prep over the hand and To ensure all areas of the hands are
up to just above the elbow, covering all covered with the solution.
surfaces.
14. Using another 2 mL of hand prep agent, repeat Ensure that both hands are
same procedure with the other hand. decontaminated.
15. Dispense another 2 mL of hand prep agent into - Adequate amount of antimicrobial agent is
either hand, and reapply to all aspects of both hands required to thoroughly cover hand surfaces.
up to the writs. Allow to dry before donning gloves. - Drying ensures antiseptic effect and for
an easy donning of gloves.

Ability to answer questions

 Date of
Completed YES NO Signature
Compilation

Remarks: