Surgical Hand Scrub

The way we wash our hands before entering the operating room is essential for preventing nosocomial infections. Even though it is a simple task it is important to do it right.
You need to proceed through the following steps:

1. Remove jewelry;
2. Apply antiseptic solution, from your fingertips to 4 cm below the elbow;
3. Scrub carefully between the fingers and subungual;
4. Scrub the forearm in a circular motion ;
5. Rinse hands with water;
6. Repeat the process one more time;
7. Dry your hands with a sterile towel from hand to forearm.

These are the simple steps but it is very important to pay attention at the following details:

• You should be proper dressed before hand scrubbing

• The time for hand scrubbing should be 5 min

• Don't use very hot water because it dries the skin

• Always place the hand higher than the elbow

• Rinse in one direction Hand -> Forearm

• After the scrub place your hands above the elbow

• Don't cross your hands

• Only touch things that are sterile

ALTERNATIVE:
According to Vergara Fernandez et al, who published the paper called Surgical team satisfaction levels between two preoperative hand-washing methods in "Revista de Investigacion Clinica" (2010 dec), 1% chlorhexidine gluconate and 61% ethyl alcohol (CGEA) is as effective as hand scrubbing and even prevents hand dryness, and reduces the cost of water.
I look at CGEA as a good alternative where acquiring water is a big problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.queensburyschool.org/departments/health_safety/swineflu.htm