MEDICAL HANDWASHING

Definition: is the mechanical removal of microorganisms after every contact with pt.,
object or before administering non-surgical procedures.

Assessment: Assess for:

· Availability of the equipment for frequent Handwashing
· Method of Handwashing that is most appropriate for assigned task
· Identify clients at risk for infection

Planning:
· To provide appropriate equipment and techniques for preventive measures
· To prevent the spread of the microorganisms to health professionals
· To protect and reduce potential for transmission of microorganisms

Nursing Diagnosis:
1. Potential for infection related to inadequate primary defenses
2. Knowledge deficit related to insufficient knowledge to avoid exposure to
pathogens

Expected Outcomes:
· Prevented spread of microorganisms from health care worker or environment to
clients
· Decreased number of bacteria on hands from clients to clients.

Equipments
· Soap (bar or liquid)
· Soap dish that drains and keep the soap dry (bar)
· Clean, dry towel
· Plastic container with faucet, sink

Procedure:
STEPS RATIONALE

1. Roll sleeves above elbows and - Microorganisms can lodge in the

remove jewelry, nail polish. settings of jewelry.
- Nail polish does not appear to
increase the number of
microorganisms as long as the
polish is not chipped.
2. Do not touch outside or inside of
sink.
3. Turn on water and adjust flow and
temperature. If there is no running
water, use dipper (tabo) to pour
water on the hands at the beginning
and when rinsing.
4. Use ½ squirts of liquid/foam soap.
Lather hands with soap and scrub
well from palm to palm. Count from
1-5.
5. Scrub hands giving special attention
to areas between and around the
fingertips. Count 1-5.
6. Hold hands and forearms lower than
elbows. Scrub back of each hands
with palm of the other hand. Count
1-5.
7. Scrub fingertip of each hands in
opposite palm. Count 1-5.
8. Scrub each thumb, clasp in opposite
hand. Count 1-5.
- Sinks are dirty and prone to
being a lodging place for
microbes. It can also cause
contamination.
- Avoid splashing water into the
clothes as it may result in
contamination as moisture
breeds microorganisms.
- Warm water removes less of the
skin’s protective oil than hot
water.
- Soaps promote lowering the
surface tension and act as
emulsifying agents. It also
breaks lipids which are basically
what encloses the bacteria.
- It aids in removing any
contaminants present in the skin
that lodge in between and
around fingertips.
- Friction caused by firm rubbing
helps to loosen dirt and
organisms that can lodge
between the fingers, in skin
crevices of knuckles, on the
palms, and back of the hands.
- Friction caused by firm scrubbing
helps to loosen dirt and
organisms that can lodge
between the fingertips.
- It creates friction that helps
remove microorganisms
mechanically.
- Interlacing the thumb can
cleanse the interdigital spaces
 9. Scrub each wrist clasp in opposite - Cleaning less the contaminated
hand. Count 1-5. areas such as forearms and wrist
prevents the spreading of
microorganisms.

10. Rinse through under running water, - Running water rinses

wash elbow then the arms down to microorganisms and dirt into the
the hands. sink.

11. Pat hands dry with a paper towel - Patting the skin dry prevents
from wrists to fingertips. chapping.

12. Turn off water using same paper - Turning the faucet off with a
towel if faucet is hand operated. clean paper towel protects the
clean hands from contact with a
soiled surface.

Total:

Youtube:

https://youtu.be/ruh9FLVbri4