Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.