Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

To wash hands properly, follow these steps:

1. Wet the hands. Use enough soap to cover all surfaces of the hands.
2. Rub both hands palm to palm.
3. 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.
4. Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
5. With fingers interlocked, rub the backs of the fingers of the opposite hands.
6. Rub the left thumb clasped in the right palm in a circular motion and repeat with the other thumb.
7. 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.
8. Rub each wrist with the opposite hand.
9. 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.
10. Ensure all surfaces of the hands are cleaned. Areas that are missed can be a source of cross-infection as well.
11. 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.
12. 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.