Hand hygiene is a critical component of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings and community environments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes hand hygiene as the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections and the spread of diseases.

Why Hand Hygiene is Important?

Hand hygiene refers to the practice of cleaning hands by either washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

It is crucial because hands are the primary mode of disease transmission, and many infectious diseases are spread through contaminated hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 80% of infections are transmitted through hands.

Failure to practice hand hygiene leads to the spread of infections and increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections, which can be life-threatening, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and immunocompromised patients.

When Should You Clean Your Hands?

Hand hygiene should be performed at five critical moments, according to WHO guidelines:.

• Before touching a patient
• Before clean/aseptic procedures
• After body fluid exposure or risk of exposure
• After touching a patient
• After touching patient surroundings

In addition to these critical moments, hands should also be cleaned after using the restroom, blowing the nose, coughing or sneezing, handling pets, and touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

Related Article Hand Washing: How Long Is Enough?

How Long Should You Wash Your Hands?

Handwashing with soap and water should last at least 20 seconds, according to the CDC. Studies have shown that most people do not wash their hands for the recommended duration, resulting in inadequate hand hygiene and ineffective infection prevention.

To ensure proper hand hygiene, it is recommended that people follow the steps for effective handwashing:.

1. Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold)
2. Apply soap
3. Lather hands by rubbing them together with the soap
4. Scrub all surfaces of the hands, including the back of the hands, between fingers, and under nails.
5. Rinse hands under clean, running water
6. Dry hands with a clean towel or air dry them

How Long Should You Use Hand Sanitizer?

If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used instead. Hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol are effective in killing germs and reducing the spread of infections.

However, just like handwashing, hand sanitizer use also needs to follow a specific time frame. Apply the hand sanitizer to the palm of one hand, then rub it all over the surfaces of the hands until they are completely dry.

It typically takes about 20 seconds for the hand sanitizer to dry, and during that time, avoid touching anything until the alcohol has evaporated and the hands are dry.

: Conclusion

Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures to prevent the spread of infections. Proper hand hygiene needs to be followed with specific steps, according to WHO and CDC guidelines, to ensure optimal infection prevention.

Washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is the most effective way to clean hands, but when soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be only used as an alternative.