HAND HYGIENE

Hand Hygiene and Infection Control



Hand Hygiene and Infection Control

Introduction

Hand hygiene is the most important and effective means of preventing and controlling infection. In the care of sick, hands are a vehicle of transmission of pathogens, either by direct contact from person to person or indirectly through contaminated objects previously, which can then contaminate the patient. Hand hygiene is a very simple action, and must be practiced by any person who is caring for a patient, whether nurses or caregivers. Despite being the most important measure to reduce the incidence of infection and spread of microorganisms, the compliance of hand hygiene is very low.

Discussion

Hand hygiene is a key element in the fight against infections and transmission of pathogens. In 1962, Edward Mortimer has highlighted the role of the hands of caregivers in the transmission of pathogens, in this case of staphylococci in newborns. A study by Didier Pittet assessed the association between adherences to hand hygiene and nosocomial infection rates. These studies have shown over a period of four years that the infection rate decreased and the rate of transmission of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin when hand hygiene increased (Chandra 2001, pp. 218-222). This result has been observed particularly through an ongoing campaign to promote hand hygiene with the introduction of hand rubbing. More recently, with increasing hand hygiene actions, many studies have observed a decrease in the number of nosocomial infections and antibiotic resistant bacteria multi.

Skin

It is a structure which is a protective barrier between the external environment and the body preventing the passage of germs inside. The normal flora of the skin may be Transient Flora and Resident flora. Transient Flora is chartered by microorganisms that colonize the surface layer of skin to which they adhere upon contact with patients or contaminated surfaces.

On the other hand, Resident flora is chartered by microorganisms that survive and multiply in the deeper layers of the skin, and although they are less related to infections, are more difficult to remove by hand washing (Rotter 2009, Pp. 191-199). Soap and water are usually sufficient to remove transient flora. However, to eliminate the resident flora in the case of wound management and care of patients in certain cases, it is essential to use antiseptics in washing hands.

Purpose of Hand Washing

Hand washing reduce contamination of the hands and prevent the spread of pathogens to uncontaminated areas. It prevents transmission of infections in the health system. It also protect patients, health workers and caregivers. General instructions for washing and hand antisepsis:

Before:

Start working hours at the hospital.

Touching each patient (especially in direct contact with patients susceptible to infections) to protect against pathogens that carry in their hands.

Intake of edible items.

Invasive procedures or any task requiring aseptic, even when using gloves, such as placing indwelling urinary catheters, peripheral catheters or other devices pathways.

The preparation of food or medication.

After:

The exposure of hands to blood or other body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin and wound dressings, or after touching objects potentially contaminated or objects in the vicinity ...