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Lavado de Manos II: Pasos Previos al Procedimiento e Iniciales del Procedimiento
Los pasos previos al procedimiento de lavado de manos incluyen quitar las joyas y remangarse las mangas. Sin embargo, muchas organizaciones permiten a…
Todo el procedimiento de lavado de manos dura entre cuarenta y sesenta segundos, dependiendo del grado de contaminación. Se requiere un mínimo de 20 segundos para fregar.
Antes de comenzar el lavado, se deben quitar los anillos, brazaletes o relojes de pulsera y arremangar las mangas.
Las mangas largas dificultan el lavado de las muñecas y pueden causar una recontaminación rápida, mientras que el uso de joyas o un reloj de pulsera permite que los microorganismos permanezcan sobre y debajo del accesorio después del lavado de manos, por lo que es mejor evitarlos si es posible.
Cualquier corte en las manos debe cubrirse con un apósito impermeable, ya que las roturas en la piel pueden permitir la entrada de posibles patógenos.
Las uñas deben mantenerse cortas y limpias, sin esmalte de uñas ni uñas postizas, ya que pueden transportar suciedad y bacterias.
Para comenzar a lavarse las manos, abra el agua del grifo a un caudal que evite salpicaduras y déjelo correr hasta que se sienta cómodamente tibio.
El agua tibia es cómoda y elimina los aceites de la piel.
Luego, humedezca las manos y las muñecas con agua y aplique suficiente jabón para cubrir todas las superficies.
El jabón se enjabona con agua para acelerar el lavado de manos y elimina la suciedad, el material orgánico y los microorganismos.
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Q1: Why should jewelry and watches be removed before handwashing?
Jewelry and wristwatches allow microorganisms to remain on and beneath the accessories even after handwashing, preventing effective decontamination. Removing these items ensures all hand surfaces are properly cleaned and reduces infection risk. Many organizations allow wedding rings as an exception to this requirement.
Q2: How long does a proper handwashing procedure take?
The entire handwashing procedure takes approximately 40 to 60 seconds, depending on the extent of contamination. A minimum of 20 seconds is required for scrubbing to effectively remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms from all hand surfaces. Adequate time ensures thorough decontamination.
Q3: What should be done about cuts or abrasions on the hands before washing?
Any cuts on the hands should be covered with a waterproof dressing before handwashing. Breaks in the skin may allow potential pathogens to gain entry, and repeated handwashing can worsen an injury. Waterproof dressings protect the wound while allowing proper hand hygiene.
Q4: Why is nail hygiene important in handwashing procedures?
Fingernails should be kept short and clean, without nail polish or artificial nails, as these can harbor dirt and bacteria. Long nails, fake nails, and nail polish imperfections are not entirely removed by handwashing, making proper nail maintenance essential for infection prevention.
Q5: What is the correct way to turn on the tap water for handwashing?
Turn on the tap water at a flow rate that prevents splashing and direct the water flow away from the drain. Drain openings are often contaminated with microorganisms that could be transferred to the environment or user if splashing occurs. Allow water to run until it feels comfortably warm.
Q6: Why should sleeves be rolled up before handwashing?
Long sleeves hinder the washing of wrists and can cause quick re-contamination after handwashing. Rolling up sleeves ensures wrists are fully accessible for cleaning and prevents contaminated fabric from recontaminating clean hands. This step is essential for maintaining hand cleanliness throughout the procedure.
Q7: How should soap be applied during the handwashing procedure?
Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces after wetting hands with water. Soap lathers with water to speed up handwashing and removes dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. Applying soap directly onto dry hands may damage the skin, so hands should be wet first.