General Healthcare Skills Flashcards
Why is hand hygiene important?
Hand hygiene is important because it is the most cost-effective and most efficient way to decrease transient bacteria counts in the superficial layers of the skin thereby reducing the spread of healthcare associated infections.
What are the general principles of hand care and why are they important?
Hand care involves several guidelines that help reduce health care associated infections. They include regular examinations of cuts, grazes and torn cuticles, which should be covered with a waterproof dressing, being bare below the elbow, having short and clean nails, using an emollient hand, cream or moisturizer to prevent drying out and cracking of the hands, avoiding wearing rings and watches, etc.
In what situations would the midwife use an a AHR?
A midwife can use an AHR when her hands are not visibly soiled, when the woman she’s interacting with does not have an enteric infection and as long as hand washing with soap and water is done intermittently.
When should the midwife undertake hand decontamination
- Before direct patient care.
- After direct patient care.
- Before antiseptic technique.
- After contact with bodily fluids.
- After contact with equipment in the patient/clincal environment.
- Prior to putting on gloves and immediately after gloves
- Prior to handling food
- When visibly soiled
- After going to the bathroom
- After using hand rub several times
What are the principles of decontamination?
- consider all equipment to be contaminated
- Using running water at a comfortable temperature
- avoiding splashing when wash
- making sure your hands are wet before applying soap
- Using appropriate antimicrobial liquid soap
- Using a circular motion and adequate rubbing plus friction
- complete drying of hands post washing
What are the main differences between a medical social and a surgical scrub?
You are trying to remove as many transient AND resident bacteria as possible. You achieve this by using an antiseptic soap, e.g. 4% chlorhexidine solution. It is also a longer washing at least 3 to 5 minutes compared to at least 15 seconds for hand washing.
