Hand Hygiene

Question 1

Alcohol based hand rub

Answer 1

An alcohol containing preparation usually in the form of a gel, foam, or rinses, designed for application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands. In the USA sub preparations usually contain 60-95% ethanol or isopropanol

Question 2

Antiseptic agent

Answer 2

Antimicrobial substances that are applied to the skin to reduce the number of microbial flora. Examples include alcohols, chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodine, Parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX), quats, and triclosan

Question 3

Antiseptic hand wash

Answer 3

Washing hands with water and soap or other detergents containing an antiseptic agent

Question 4

Antiseptic hand rub

Answer 4

Applying an antiseptic hand rub product to all surfaces of the hands to reduce the number of microorganisms present

Question 5

Decontaminate hands

Answer 5

To reduce bacterial counts on hands by performing antiseptic hand rub or antiseptic hand wash

Question 6

Detergent

Answer 6

I.e. Surfactants. Compounds that possess a cleaning action. Composed of hydrophilic and lipophillic parts and can be divided into four groups: anionic, cationic, amphoteric, nonionic detergents. Although hand washing products represent various types of detergents, the term soap is usually used for these detergent products

Question 7

Hand antisepsis

Answer 7

Refers to either antiseptic handwash or hand rub

Question 8

Hand hygiene

Answer 8

General term that applies to either hand washing, antiseptic handwash, antiseptic handrub, or surgical hand antisepsis

Question 9

Persistent activity

Answer 9

The prolonged or extended antimicrobial activity that prevents or inhibits the proliferation or survival of microorganisms after application of the product

Question 10

Plain soap

Answer 10

Refers to detergents that do not contain antimicrobial agents or contain low concentrations of antimicrobial agents that are effective solely as preservatives

Question 11

Proteinaceous

Answer 11

Any substance composed of protein base

Question 12

Substantivity

Answer 12

An attribute of certain active ingredients that adhere to the stratum corneum (I.e remains on the skin after rinsing or drying) to provide an inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria remaining on the skin

Question 13

Visibly soiled hands

Answer 13

Hands showing visible dirt or visibly contaminated with proteinaceous material, blood, or other body fluids (e.g. Fecal material or urine)

Question 14

Waterless antiseptic agent

Answer 14

An antiseptic agent that does not require use of exogenous water. After applying such an agent, the hands are rubbed together until the agent has dried