![\"\"](\"https:\/\/drosiatritaias.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/2.png\")
<\/p>\nOffice of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 1<\/p>\n
HAND HYGIENE
\nINFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
\nWhat is Hand Hygiene?
\nHand Hygiene is the \"cleanliness of hands\", which is carried out by:<\/p>\n
1. Water and common soap
\n2. Water and soap with antiseptic action
\n3. Direct application of antiseptic in various forms<\/p>\n
What is the necessity of its implementation?<\/p>\n
Hand hygiene protects both patients and healthcare professionals from colonization and infection by pathogens found in the hospital environment. The hands of health professionals are a means of transferring pathogenic microorganisms from
\npatient to patient, from the environment to the patient and vice versa, but also from the hospital environment to the health professionals themselves and their relatives. With their hands, they contaminate the inanimate environment of the hospital inside and outside the patients' treatment area (offices, nursing stop, common areas, etc.).<\/p>\n
Where does it apply?
\nHand Hygiene is applied wherever health care is practiced.
\nWhen does it apply?
\nThe 5 steps of Hand Hygiene are the following:<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 2<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 3
\nHow is it applied?
\n1st Method: Washing technique with soap and water<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/drosiatritaias.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/4.png\")
\nWhen?
\nWhen our hands are visibly soiled
\nWhen we have been exposed to a patient with suspected or confirmed infection with Clostridium difficile
\nor when the health unit we work for is facing an epidemic or endemic from the
\nspecific pathogen.
\nWhen we have been exposed to a patient with suspected or confirmed diarrheal syndrome from
\nnorovirus or during an epidemic of the specific pathogen.
\nBefore eating
\nAfter using the toilet<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 4<\/p>\n
2nd Method: Application technique of alcoholic antiseptic<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/drosiatritaias.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/5.png\")
<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 5
\nWhen?
\n\u2022 In all other cases except indications concerning hand washing. The use of alcoholic antiseptic is the appropriate method for the application of Hand Hygiene in all clinical circumstances because; The possibility of immediate application of alcoholic antiseptic significantly increases the compliance of health professionals to Hand Hygiene. Its activity against nosocomial pathogens (bacteria, viruses, mycobacteria, fungi, except spore-forming bacteria) is significantly stronger due to the alcohol it contains. The combination of alcohol with other substances with antimicrobial activity such as chlorhexidine increases the residual action of the product. The application of alcoholic antiseptic is shorter than washing with water and soap (20-30 sec vs 40-60 sec).<\/p>\n
The application of alcoholic antiseptic is better tolerated by health professionals than washing with water and soap which often causes dry skin problems. What is the importance of applying Hand Hygiene in controlling the spread of
\nmultidrug-resistant pathogens; The majority of colonized patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria at hospital admission are asymptomatic carriers, who have not been diagnosed or information about their colonization is not available. Hand hygiene and basic precautions are the only measures we have in place to control the spread of resistant pathogens in the hospital
\nenvironment from asymptomatic carriers. Especially, if systematic colonization surveillance is not applied by the hospital, the diagnosis of carriers may be significantly delayed or not made during their hospitalization.<\/p>\n
The control of the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens requires special prevention and control measures (contact precautions) with Hand Hygiene being a key component. The literature review carried out by the WHO showed that when hand hygiene is the main prevention measure, spread control is effective mainly for MRSA strains. However, the application of contact precautions is effective only if Hand Hygiene is adequately applied.<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 6<\/p>\n
What is the relationship between hand hygiene and the use of gloves?<\/p>\n
Gloves are the enemy of YX when we do not apply it before and after their use. The reality is that with the use of gloves we feel safe and that our hands remained clean after the manipulations we performed. Our hands are colonized with microorganisms from the environment and therefore can be contaminated during their application. Therefore, we must apply YX before using gloves. During patient care, gloves are contaminated and when discarded we may contaminate our hands. Change gloves from patient to patient Change gloves septic to aseptic area Change gloves when they are visibly damaged Gloves have specific indications for use and do not replace Hand Hygiene.
\nSkin-Nails-Jewelry<\/p>\n
Important measures to avoid dry skin and skin reactions from the application of Hand Hygiene are:
\nThe choice of appropriate products and as tolerated as possible by health professionals Do not systematically wash your hands with water and soap before using antiseptic, because the likelihood of developing dermatitis is high. Always use cold water for washing hands. The use of warm water and soap, especially those containing antimicrobial ingredients, dries and destroys the skin and has absolutely no additional action against microbial load. do not use gloves on wet hands after applying Hand Hygiene<\/p>\n
Let your hands dry.
\nUse skin care creams-ointments of your hands to prevent mainly dry skin but also other dermatological reactions caused by washing with water and soap but also by the use of antiseptics. Make sure these preparations are compatible with the antiseptics you use in your hospital (consult your hospital's Hospital Infections Committee).<\/p>\n
Office of Nosocomial Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance 7
\nImportant points about nails and jewelry to keep in mind:<\/p>\n
Bacteria can survive under artificial nails before and after applying Hand Hygiene. For this reason, it is not recommended that health professionals wear artificial nails, especially when they undertake the care of critically ill patients in special nursing departments.<\/p>\n
Make sure your nails are less than 0.6cm (< 1\u20444 inch) long Studies have shown that the skin area under the rings is colonized by more bacteria than the corresponding non-ring areas. Protect your hands. Avoid using artificial nails and jewelry<\/p>\n