Routine hand cleaning for hands |
Alcohol-based rub method:
- Check hands are dry and not visibly soiled. If visibly soiled, use soap and water method.
- Apply alcohol-based handrub, using the volume recommended in product information.
- Rub vigorously over all surfaces of hand, as when washing hands, ensuring solution contacts all surfaces of the hand. Pay particular attention to fingertips, thumbs, and areas between fingers.
- Keep rubbing until hands are completely dry.
|
20–30 seconds until dry |
Rub hands until dry, without wiping |
Arriving/leaving work
Entering/leaving clinical areas
Before using computer keyboard or device screens in clinical areas
Before and after patient contact when hands are not visibly soiled
Before putting on gloves and after removing gloves
After touching objects (eg equipment, items around the patient, keyboard, device screens) and the patient environment. |
Soap and water method:
- Wet hands under tepid water.
- Apply plain liquid soap, using the volume recommended in product information.
- Rub hands together, ensuring solution contacts all surfaces of the hand. Pay particular attention to fingertips, thumbs, and areas between fingers.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Use paper towel to turn off tap (if not hands-free tap).
- Pat hands dry with single-use towels.
|
20 seconds minimum |
Paper towel |
As for alcohol-based handrub
In addition:
Before handling food or drink
After going to the toilet
When hands are visibly soiled
|
Standard aseptic (clinical) procedures |
Alcohol-based rub method:
- Check hands are dry and not visibly soiled. If visibly soiled, use soap and water method.
- Apply alcohol-based handrub, using the volume recommended in product information.
- Rub vigorously over all surfaces of hand, as when washing hands, ensuring solution contacts all surfaces of the hand. Pay particular attention to fingertips, thumbs, and areas between fingers.
- Keep rubbing until hands are completely dry.
|
20–30 seconds until dry |
Rub hands until dry, without wiping |
Before any procedures that require a ‘no-touch’ technique |
Liquid antimicrobial cleanser method:
- Wet hands under tepid water.
- Apply plain liquid soap, using the volume recommended in product information.
- Rub hands together, ensuring solution contacts all surfaces of the hand. Pay particular attention to fingertips, thumbs, and areas between fingers.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Use paper towel to turn off tap (if not hands-free tap).
- Pat hands dry with single-use towels.
|
20 seconds minimum |
Paper towel |
Surgical aseptic procedures |
Surgical handrub method:
- Remove jewellery. Check hands are dry and not visibly soiled. If visibly soiled, use soap and water method.
- Apply alcohol-based handrub, using the volume recommended in product information.
- Rub vigorously over all surfaces of hand, as when washing hands, ensuring solution contacts all surfaces of the hand. Pay particular attention to fingertips, thumbs, and areas between fingers.
- Keep rubbing until hands are completely dry.
|
Follow manufacturer’s directions |
|
Before surgical procedures |
Liquid antimicrobial cleanser method:
- Remove jewellery.
- Wet hands and forearms.
- Wash with antimicrobial cleanser (4% chlorhexidine or 0.75% detergent-based povidone or 1% aqueous povidone).
- Clean under nails only if needed with a nail pick (do not scrub hands with nail brush as they can break the skin and be a source of infection).
- Rinse carefully, keeping hands above elbows.
- Ask another staff member to turn off taps or use sterile towel (if not hands-free tap).
|
20 seconds minimum |
Sterile disposable paper towels
or
Sterile linen towels |