Assignment: For Further Readings 1. What are the Principle of Asepsis 2. What is Handwashing 3. What is the importance of Handwashing 4. What are the two different kind of Handwashing and its difference 5. What are the procedures of Medical Handwashing, enumerate and explain The lack of infectious material or infection is referred to as asepsis. The absence of all microorganisms during any form of invasive procedure is referred to as surgical asepsis. Sterile method is a collection of precise activities and processes used to rid equipment and environments of all microorganisms and to keep that sterility. Do not sneeze, cough, laugh, or converse over the sterile field. Maintain a safe space or margin of safety between sterile and non-sterile objects and environments. Refrain from reaching across the sterile field. Keep operating room (OR) traffic to a minimal and doors locked. Hand washing (or handwashing), also known as hand hygiene, is the process of cleansing one's hands with soap and water to eliminate viruses/bacteria/microorganisms, filth, grease, or other dangerous and unpleasant substances adhering to the hands. Handwashing is the act of cleaning one's hands with any liquid, with or without soap, to remove dirt or microbes. It is the most effective method of minimizing the risk of infectious disease transmission. It is the single most efficient method of infection control. Medical hand-washing is done for at least 15 seconds, with generous volumes of soap and water or gel drizzled and rubbed into each portion of the hands. Rub your hands together so that your digits interlock. A bristle brush can be used to remove debris from under the fingernails. Hand Hygiene has always been the single most important way that we can reduce the spread of disease and infection in hospitals. It’s particularly important for Healthcare Professionals such as nurses, doctors, and healthcare assistants who regularly come into close contact with patients. The most important tools for caring are human hands. Most surgical practitioners agree that appropriate surgical hand-washing habits are essential for infection control. Hand transmission is a significant role in the spread of bacteria, pathogens, and viruscausing viruses, as well as nosocomial infections in general. When should you be washing your hands? There are key moments when you need to make sure you wash your hands: - Before and after touching a patient - Before any procedures - After any risk to the exposure of bodily fluids - After touching any patient surroundings, such as bed rails or bedside tables You should also decontaminate your hands immediately before and after wearing any PPE 3 Types of Handwashing: Social, Antiseptic & Surgical 1. Social Handwashing Social handwashing is intended to remove all physical filth and debris from the hands as well as to combat bacterial growth and contagious diseases. It also removes transitory bacteria from the skin's surface. This type of handwashing should be performed prior to eating, after using the bathroom, and whenever someone is going to come into physical contact with someone else. Social handwashing is performed using warm water and antibacterial soap. People should scrub their wet hands for thirty seconds in a circular motion as a proper hand washing method to clean thoroughly. 2. Antiseptic Handwashing When compared to social handwashing, antiseptic handwashing is a more stringent technique for washing hands. This treatment is used to kill microbes on the skin's surface. It also minimizes the number of bacteria and viruses that live on the surface. This type of handwashing technique is typically carried out before coming into touch with someone in a medical or healthcare setting. It's also popular in the food service industry. To clean the skin's surface, antiseptic substances are employed in addition to hot water. Chlorhexidine and iodine are two examples. 3. Surgical Handwashing Surgical handwashing is the most strict sort of handwashing process, with major variations. This is a cleaning treatment utilized before sterile operations, such as surgical procedures. This handwashing process removes both resident and transient germs that live on the skin's surface. Surgical gloves are frequently put on immediately following this handwashing technique to prevent bacteria from returning to the skin's surface. The hands and forearms are washed up to the elbow during surgical handwashing. Instead of actual contact, water is controlled via sensors. Antiseptic detergent is used to cleanse the skin for one minute before completely washing. To clean the skin, only sterile cloths are used. This ensures that medical treatments are carried out correctly and that the patient and medical instruments are not contaminated or infected in any way. How to wash your hands properly To wash hands properly: 1. Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap. 2. Apply soap and lather well for 20 seconds (or longer if the dirt is ingrained). 3. Rub hands together rapidly across all surfaces of your hands and wrists. 4. Don’t forget the backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails. 5. If possible, remove rings and watches before you wash your hands, or ensure you move the rings to wash under them, as microorganisms can exist. 6. Rinse well under running water and make sure all traces of soap are removed. 7. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. 8. It is best to use paper towels (or single-use cloth towel). 9. Dry under any rings, as they can be a source of future contamination if they remain moist. 10. Hot air driers can be used. Use running water Use running water instead of a basin of standing water that could become contaminated through use. Warm water may be better than cold for handwashing as soap lathers (soaps up) better with warm water. However, cold water and soap are still suitable. Hot water can damage the skin’s natural oils. Over time, this can cause dermatitis. Soap is important Washing hands with soap and water will remove substantially more diseasecausing organisms than washing hands with water alone. For people who find that soap causes skin irritation, it is useful to note that soaps can have a different pH – they may be neutral, slightly alkaline or slightly acidic, and perfumes in soap may also cause irritation. Changing soap may help some people. Liquid soap is best Generally, it is better to use liquid soap than bar soap, particularly at work. However, bar soap is better than no soap No advantage to using antibacterial soap When following the handwashing steps outlined above, all soaps are equally effective at removing disease causing germs. Antibacterial soap is unnecessary and does not offer an advantage over regular soap. Soap and water is better than hand sanitiser Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are effective against some viruses (such as coronavirus), however they are not effective against gastroenteritis. Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent gastroenteritis infection. It is best to wash hands with soap and water. If unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol. Take care of your hands Handwashing is only one part of hand hygiene. Looking after your skin generally is important, as your skin is your most effective barrier against infection. After your hands have been dried thoroughly, you can help to look after your hands if you: Apply a water-based absorbent hand cream 3 to 4 times a day, or more frequently if your hands are constantly in water. Use gloves when washing dishes to protect your hands. Use gloves when gardening to prevent a build-up of ingrained soil or scratches. Consult a doctor if a skin irritation develops or continues.
