Hand Hygiene

Question 1

When should we wash our hands?

Answer 1

1. Before touching a patient
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures
3. After body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching patient surroundings

Question 2

When should you wash your hands with soap and water, in preference to alcohol-based hand sanitiser?

Answer 2

1. After several applications of alcohol- based hand santiser
2. If your hands are visibly soiled
3. When caring for patients with vomiting or diarrhoea
4. After using the toilet
5. Before handling food

Question 3

How do you wash your hands?

Answer 3

1. Bare below elbow and cuts covered;
2. Wet hands;
3. Apply soap;
4. Lather soap palm to palm for 10-15 secs (away from water);
5. Palm to back of hand, fingers overlapped (and vice versa);
6. Palm to palm, finger interlocked;
7. Rub each thumb in each palm, rotating;
8. Rub fingertips of one hand in other palm, rotating;
9. Rub each wrist, rotating;
10. Rinse hands;
11. Turn off tap with elbow/paper towel;
12. Dry hands using paper towels;
13. Dispose of paper towels as domestic waste.