Review Material 

Please review the following key points from the World Health Organization Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare, and the Centre for Disease Control Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings.

 

WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Key Points:

  • Importance of Hand Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene is critical in healthcare to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and reduce the transmission of pathogens between patients and healthcare workers.
  • Transmission Pathway: Pathogens are transmitted via contaminated hands, requiring five sequential steps, including the survival of pathogens on hands and inadequate hand hygiene practices.
  • Types of Hand Hygiene Products: Recommended products include alcohol-based hand rubs for routine use and antimicrobial soaps for specific situations, with proper formulation being essential for effectiveness.
  • Guidelines Development: These guidelines were created through extensive international collaboration, pilot testing, and updates based on new evidence to provide global, evidence-based recommendations.
  • “My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” Framework: The WHO emphasizes key moments for hand hygiene: before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings.
  • Hand Hygiene Techniques: Effective hand hygiene requires proper technique, sufficient time, and complete coverage of hand surfaces, including commonly missed areas like fingertips and thumbs.
  • Barriers to Hand Hygiene: Factors such as lack of resources, skin irritation, glove use misconceptions, and inadequate infrastructure can hinder optimal hand hygiene practices.
  • Impact of Compliance: Improved hand hygiene adherence significantly reduces the rates of HCAIs, improves patient safety, and lowers healthcare costs.
  • Educational Strategies: Ongoing training and educational programs for healthcare workers, tailored to cultural and institutional contexts, are crucial for sustaining hand hygiene improvements.
  • Monitoring and Assessment: Direct observation, feedback, and the use of hand hygiene performance indicators help measure compliance and identify areas for improvement

 

 CDC Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings Key Points:

  • Critical Role of Hand Hygiene: Proper hand hygiene is essential to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and reduce the transmission of pathogens between healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients.
  • Historical Context: The importance of handwashing was first highlighted by Ignaz Semmelweis in 1847, leading to significant reductions in maternal mortality through antiseptic practices.
  • Pathogen Transmission via Hands: Transmission requires organisms to survive on HCWs’ hands, which may then contaminate patients or surfaces if hand hygiene is inadequate.
  • Hand Hygiene Methods: Effective hand hygiene includes washing with plain or antimicrobial soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs when hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs: These are recommended for routine hand hygiene as they are more effective and less irritating than soap and water, provided hands are not visibly dirty.
  • Key Moments for Hand Hygiene: Hand hygiene should be performed before and after patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after exposure to bodily fluids, and after contact with patient surroundings.
  • Skin Care: The guidelines emphasize using hand lotions or creams to prevent skin damage caused by frequent washing and exposure to harsh chemicals.
  • Glove Use: Gloves do not replace the need for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene must still be performed before putting on and after removing gloves.
  • Education and Compliance: Regular training and feedback are vital for improving adherence to hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: The guidelines recommend using direct observation, self-assessment, and automated systems to monitor hand hygiene compliance and its impact on infection rates.

After reviewing this material,  proceed to the next part of the activity and watch the tutorial video.