1 Purpose and objective

Hand washing and hand disinfection are among the most important hygiene measures for preventing and combating infections in hospitals.

2 Application

2.1 Washing

Washing hands is a matter of course if they are visibly dirty, after using the toilet, blowing your nose and handling food. Every employee should wash their hands before starting work, when visibly soiled and after finishing work.

2.2 Hygienic hand disinfection

 Before invasive procedures (e.g. placement of bladder or intravenous catheters, bronchial suctioning, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures). This also applies if sterile gloves are worn during these procedures.  Before changing dressings, applying infusions  Before and after contact with the area where catheters, drains, tracheostomies, etc. enter.  Before contact with patients who require special protection against infection.  After contact with patients from whom an infection may originate.  After contact with contaminated surfaces and objects (e.g. ventilators, respiratory masks, tracheal tubes).  After contact with blood, secretions or excretions.  If there is an increased risk of infection, disposable gloves should also be worn for your own protection (e.g. when changing dressings, in the case of hepatitis, AIDS).

Training module

2.3 Surgical hand disinfection

Before all surgical procedures, including "minor" surgery, e.g. insertion of central venous catheters, wound revisions.

2.4 Gloves

Disposable gloves must be worn for all dirty work and when handling blood, secretions, excretions and other infectious material. However, no other objects such as telephones, door handles, operating switches, infusion systems etc. may be touched with these gloves and thus contaminated. Uncontaminated disposable gloves can also be disinfected with hand sanitiser if necessary. After removing the gloves, hands should be hygienically disinfected

2.5 Special risk of infection

It exists when dealing with patients suffering from infectious hepatitis, AIDS or other communicable diseases, for example. There is a risk of contamination with objects that have come into contact with blood, faeces, urine and sputum. Protect your hands with disposable gloves whenever you come into contact with these objects.

3 Description

3.1 Preconditions

All washbasins used by medical staff must be equipped with a hand washing detergent dispenser, a hand sanitiser dispenser and a towel dispenser. A waste bin must be provided. The dispensers must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before filling. Empty waste bins at least once a day. Bars of soap are not permitted. No plugs are inserted into the sink drains! In the event of gross contamination, hands should first be disinfected and then washed. In any case, hands must be dried carefully after washing.

3.2 Execution

3.2.1 Hand washing

2 ml of the soap solution is poured into the palm of one hand using the arm lever (press with the elbow of the opposite arm) and rubbed into both hands with a small amount of water and placed between the fingers. Rinse the soap solution completely from the hands under running water. Wipe the water off the hands. Carefully dry your hands with paper towels. Textile towels that have been used several times must not be used.

3.2.2 Hygienic hand disinfection

3 ml (approx. one lever stroke of the dispenser bottle) is dispensed into the palm of one hand using the arm lever (actuated with the elbow of the opposite arm). The liquid is rubbed between both hands for at least 30 seconds and also between the fingers. Once the alcohol has evaporated, the hands are disinfected.

Training film

3.2.3 Surgical hand disinfection

10 ml (approx. 4 lever strokes of the dispenser bottle) are applied to the palm of the hand within 5 minutes at approximately equal intervals by pressing the arm lever with the elbow of the opposite arm and rubbed into the skin of the hands, between the fingers and onto the forearm until it dries. The process is repeated until a total exposure time of 5 minutes has been reached. In the last 2.5 minutes, only the hands should be treated. The process must be monitored using a watch.

Training film

3.3 Materials and instruments

3.3.1 Hand washing

Soap solution XXX from the company YYY Soap dispenser from the company YYY

3.3.2 Hygienic and surgical hand disinfection

XXX of the company YYY XXX dispenser of the company YYYEdit

4 Documentation

There is no documentation.

5 Time required

The times must be adhered to as specified.

6 Notes and comments

6.1 Quality characteristics

When washing your hands, remove any coarse and sticky dirt or fine impurities. Attention should also be paid to fingernails, which should be cut short. Pay attention to wounds: Open wounds with secretions have no place in nursing and operating theatres! Always disinfect when the skin is dry! Hygienic hand disinfection can only achieve a reduction in germs. However, this does not justify negligence! The waiting time of 30 seconds must be observed. The aim of surgical hand disinfection is to minimise germs as far as possible. This must be practised! Be careful with recontamination when washing the forearms! Hand disinfection serves not only to protect the patient from infection, but also to protect employees from infection.

6.2 Test characteristics and test method

Detergent consumption Consumption of hand sanitiser Employee monitoring

7 Applicable documents

Hospital hygiene" guideline

8 Responsibilities

Every employee is obliged to comply with the hygiene measures. Changes to these work instructions may only be made with the approval of the hygiene officer and in consultation with the hygiene nurse.

9 Terms

Appendix 1: Notice in the surgical washroom

Attachments