5.13: Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps
To wash hands properly, follow these steps:
- Wet the hands. Use enough soap to cover all surfaces of the hands.
- Rub both hands palm to palm.
- Rub the back of the hand: Use the right palm over the left dorsum or back of the left hand with interlaced fingers, then switch hands.
- Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
- With fingers interlocked, rub the backs of the fingers of the opposite hands.
- Rub the left thumb clasped in the right palm in a circular motion and repeat with the other thumb.
- Rub the tips of the fingers. Rotationally rub backward and forward with clasped fingers of the right hand in the left palm and vice versa.
- Rub each wrist with the opposite hand.
- Rinse hands with water, as soap residue can lead to irritation and damage to the skin. Damaged skin does not provide a barrier to infection for the healthcare worker and can become colonized with potentially pathogenic bacteria, leading to cross-infection in the patient.
- Ensure all surfaces of the hands are cleaned. Areas that are missed can be a source of cross-infection as well.
- Following hand washing, turn off the faucet with a paper towel or use the elbow to prevent contact with the faucet. Dispose of paper towels.
- With another towel, dry the hands. Wet hands encourage the growth of bacteria. Dispose of used paper towels in a foot-operated waste bin to prevent contamination of the hands.
