Hand Hygiene 101
Published: 08 March 2023
Published: 08 March 2023
Correct and thorough hand hygiene is an essential part of infection control - in fact, it’s considered to be one of the most important methods of preventing infection (NHMRC 2022).
Please scroll down for two video explanations/demonstrations on how to correctly perform hand hygiene.
Thousands of people around the world die every day from healthcare-associated infections (WHO 2009).
Appropriate and adequate hand hygiene is a crucial prevention technique we can all utilise to reduce the spread of harmful infections and diseases in order to protect ourselves, our families and our clients (WHO 2009).
Hands are the main way infectious agents are transmitted in healthcare settings (WHO 2009). People collect germs throughout the day as they touch various objects and surfaces, and may then spread these to others, or infect themselves (Mayo Clinic 2021). The process of transmitting infectious agents is called the ‘chain of infection’ (NHMRC 2019).
Proper hand hygiene is effective in breaking the chain of infection, and therefore, reducing the spread of various pathogens. This is especially important in healthcare services as people who are receiving care are often immunocompromised due to illness or surgery (Healthdirect 2020).
Young children and older adults are also generally more vulnerable to infection (Better Health Channel 2021).
Effective hand hygiene involves washing your hands at the right time and doing it correctly (WHO 2009).
While it’s impossible to keep your hands completely free of pathogens, hand hygiene helps reduce the likelihood of transmission (Mayo Clinic 2021).
The World Health Organisation’s 5 Moments For Hand Hygiene outlines all of the situations in which healthcare professionals must perform hand hygiene. They are:
(ACSQHC 2019)
You should also perform hand hygiene:
(NHMRC 2019; Healthdirect 2020; Mayo Clinic 2021; Better Health Channel 2021)
Please note, these are only examples and do not account for every situation. Always use your professional discretion.
The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare recommend that alcohol-based hand rubs containing 60% to 80% v/v ethanol or equivalent are used for all routine hand hygiene in healthcare settings (NHMRC 2019). This is because they:
(ACSQHC 2018)
Soap and water should be used instead of a hand rub if your hands are visibly dirty, or if you have not worn gloves while caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile or a non-enveloped virus (NHMRC 2019).
Note: This process should take 20 to 30 seconds.
(WHO 2009)
Note: This process should take 40 to 60 seconds.
(WHO 2009)
To view diagrams demonstrating how to perform hand hygiene with hand rubs and soap and water, refer to Hand Hygiene: Why, How & When? from the World Health Organisation listed under Additional Resources.
Medical gloves are not a replacement for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene should be performed before donning and after removing gloves (NHMRC 2019).
Question 1 of 3
True or false: An alcohol-based hand rub is preferred to soap and water for routine hand hygiene.