Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

To wash hands properly, first, rub both hands palm to palm.

Rub the palm over the dorsum with interlaced fingers.

Then, rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.

With fingers interlocked, rub the backs of the fingers of the opposite hands. 

Rub the thumb clasped in the palm in a circular motion. 

Now rub the tips of the fingers rotationally backward and forward with clasped fingers of the hand in the palm.

Rub each wrist with the opposite hand.

Rinse the hands with water.

Friction caused by these movements loosens dirt and organisms from between the fingers, the skin crevices of knuckles, on the palms and backs of the hands, and the wrists and forearms.

Wash hands before less contaminated areas, such as forearms and wrists.

Following hand washing, turn off the faucet with a paper towel.

Dispose of paper towels in a foot-operated waste bin.

Then, with another towel, dry the hands thoroughly—as damp hands encourage the multiplication of bacteria, and dispose of the paper towels.