Proper Hand Hygiene

All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this document.  However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.  The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader.  In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.

When?  Your 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

1.       Before Touching a Patient:  When?  Clean your hands before touching a patient when approaching him/her.  Why?  To protect the patient against harmful germs carried on your hands.

2.       Before Clean/Aseptic Procedure:  When?  Clean your hands immediately before performing a clean/aseptic procedure.  Why?  To protect the patient against harmful germs, including the patient’s own, from entering his/her body.

3.       After Body Fluid Exposure Risk:  When?  Clean your hands immediately after an exposure risk to body fluids (and after glove removal).  Why?  To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

4.       After Touching a Patient:  When?  Clean your hands after touching a patient and her/his immediate surroundings, when leaving the patient’s side.  Why?  To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

5.       After Touching Patient Surroundings:  When?  Clean your hands after touching any object or furniture in the patient’s immediate surroundings, when leaving – even if the patient has not been touched.  Why?  To protect yourself and the health-care environment from harmful patient germs.

SAVE LIVES—When and How for Patient Safety (World Health Organization)

How to Handrub?

Rub hands for hand hygiene!  Wash hands when visibly soiled!

Duration of the entire procedure:  20-30 seconds

1.       Apply a palmful in a cupped hand, covering all surfaces;

2.       Rub hands palm to palm;

3.       Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa;

4.       Palm to palm with fingers interlaced;

5.       Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked;

6.       Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa;

7.       Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa;

8.       Once dry, your hands are safe.

How to Handwash?

Wash hands when visibly soiled!  Otherwise, use Handrub!

Duration of the entire procedure:  40-60 seconds!

1.       Wet hands with water;

2.       Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces;

3.       Rub hands palm to palm;

4.       Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa;

5.       Palm to palm with fingers interlaced;

6.       Backs of fingers to opposing palm with fingers interlocked;

7.       Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa;

8.       Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa;

9.       Rinse hands with water;

10.   Dry hands thoroughly with a single use towel;

11.   Use a clean towel to turn off faucet;

12.   Your hands are now safe.