When hand washing with antimicrobial soap and water is not available, which method can be used?
Regularly washing your hands is an important measure for preventing the spread of germs which cause diseases. In most situations, washing your hands with soap and water according to the correct technique, is enough to leave them hygienically clean. However, many people do not wash their hands properly, even if they do use soap and water. It’s important to be familiar with the correct technique so you know how to remove germs effectively each time you wash. Show
Correct hand washing technique with soap and waterTo wash your hands correctly:
Find and instantly book affordable GPs within Australia Find GPs in Australia It is also important to thoroughly dry your hands after each wash, as wet hands are more likely to pick up germs from the environment. The best way to dry your hands is to:
The hand washing procedure should take 40-60 seconds. Washing with antimicrobial soapIf you are a nurse, doctor or other healthcare professionals, you may need to wash your hands with antimicrobial soap before touching a patient. To wash with antimicrobial soap you should follow the above steps, but use a soap with antimicrobial activity instead of normal soap. You will need to lather and wash your hands with the anti-microbial soap for 60 seconds (not 15-20 seconds as per the standard procedure). Other tips which may help ensure your hands are hygienic include:
References
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Selection of alcohol-based handrub products is the responsibility of individual health care facilities. It is recommended that alcohol-based handrub products:
Other factors that should also be considered include:
When to use alcohol-based handrubAlcohol-based handrubs should be used (when hands are visibly clean) instead of handwashing because they:
Handwashing is reserved for situations when hands are visibly soiled, or when gloves have not been worn in the care of a patient with Clostridium difficile. Alcohol-based handrubs have excellent antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative vegetative bacteria, and good antimicrobial activity against enveloped viruses. Alcohol solutions containing 60-80% alcohol are most effective. It has been well established that alcohols effectively reduce the bacterial counts on hands better than soap and water. Alcohol-based handrubs are more effective against most bacteria and many viruses than either medicated or non-medicated soaps. Alcohol-based handrub is the hand hygiene product of choice for all standard aseptic procedures. Surgical scrub is required for surgical procedures. For definitions on standard versus surgical aseptic technique refer to the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infections in Healthcare. Alcohol-based handrub is also the recommended product for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. Cutaneous absorption of alcoholRecent studies have demonstrated minimal rates of cutaneous alcohol absorption such that there should be no concern for healthcare workers. A study suggested that isopropanol might be less likely to be absorbed than ethanol. Thus, healthcare workers who are concerned about absorption for religious or other reasons may elect to use an alcohol-based handrub that contains isopropanol rather than ethanol. When implementing a hand hygiene campaign with an alcohol-based handrub in a healthcare setting, it is important to provide opportunities for healthcare workers to raise concerns about the use of alcohol-based handrubs for cultural or religious reasons or due to alcohol abuse and help them to understand the evidence underlying its use, and to identify that address their concerns. Alcohol-based handrub placementEnsuring alcohol-based handrub is available at the point-of-care improves hand hygiene compliance. Alcohol-based handrub should be easily accessible, generally within arm's reach of where patient care or treatment is taking place. Dispensers act as a visual cue for hand hygiene behaviour. Placement of alcohol-based handrub needs to be consistent and reliable. Clinical staff should assist with the decision-making process regarding placement of alcohol-based handrub, as they generally best understand the workflow in their area. Where possible, alcohol-based handrub should be placed at the foot of every bed or within each patient cubicle. When designing new healthcare facilities, consideration should be given to appropriate placement of alcohol-based handrubs so that healthcare workers can easily see and reach them. Alcohol-based handrub dispensers should not be placed next to sinks, as this can cause confusion for healthcare workers who may think they need to rinse their hands with water after using alcohol-based handrub. The following locations are suggested for placement of alcohol-based handrub:
A clear decision needs to be made about whose responsibility it is to replace empty alcohol-based handrub bottles. Workplace agreements or job descriptions may need to be changed to accommodate prompt replacement of these bottles. Alcohol-based handrub should never be decanted from one bottle into another as this can cause contamination. Safe placement of alcohol-based handrubThere are a number of risks to patients and staff associated with the use of alcohol-based handrub, however, the benefits far outweigh the risks. A risk assessment should be undertaken and a management plan put in place. This particularly applies to clinical areas that manage patients with alcohol use disorders, and patients at risk of self harm. The following factors should be considered in relation to safe placement of alcohol-based handrub:
Clinical area placement considerationsSpecial consideration is necessary when locating alcohol-based handrub in clinical areas where ingestion or accidental splashing of alcohol-based handrub is a particular risk. The placement of alcohol-based handrub needs to be aligned with the risk assessment of the individual patient or patient population. Such areas include:
Small personal bottles that healthcare workers carry with them may be more appropriate in some of the above areas. Paediatric product placementAlcohol-based handrub can be placed in paediatric wards. The placement of alcohol-based handrub within neonatal intensive care units, special care nurseries, maternity wards and on cots should follow the recommendations for product placement at point-of-care. Placement within general paediatric wards should remain within the point-of-care, except in situations of intellectual impairment or alcohol abuse where the child could unintentionally or intentionally harm themselves. Personal bottles of alcohol-based handrub could be used in any area where alcohol-based handrub cannot be placed at the point-of-care. Limitations of alcohol-based handrubIn some situations washing hands with soap and water is preferable to use of alcohol-based handrub. Bacterial sporesAlcohol has virtually no activity against bacterial spores. Washing hands with soap and water is preferred in this situation because it is the best method of physically removing spores from the hands. However, the vegetative form of Clostridium difficile is highly sensitive to alcohol-based handrub. The November 2018 ASID/AICA position statement on Infection Control Guidelines for Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) in Healthcare Settings recommends the primary use of alcohol-based handrub in accordance with the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene when caring for patients with CDI. Gloves should be used during the care of patients with CDI, to minimise spore contamination, and if hands become soiled, or gloves have not been used, then hands must be washed with soap and water. Non-enveloped (non-lipophilic) virusesAlcohol has a poor activity against some non-enveloped viruses. (for example: rotavirus, norovirus, polio, hepatitis A). However, there is conflicting evidence suggesting that alcohol-based handrub is more effective than soaps in reducing virus titres on finger pads. Thus, in norovirus outbreaks it is usually best to reinforce the use of alcohol-based handrub, unless hands are visibly soiled, in which case handwashing with soap and water is preferred. Other organismsAlcohol has a poor activity against tropical parasites, and protozoan oocysts. Handwashing soap and water is preferred. |