Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

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Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

• Hand Washing

WHO Western Pacific Regional Office April 17,
2003
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Principles of Hand Washing

• Hand Washing
• Is the single most important and effective
  component for preventing the transmission of
  infection.
• Is designed to remove transient microorganisms
  that may have been picked up from the
  environment.
• Prevents the transfer of these microorganisms to
  other patients, staff and equipment.
• Is best performed using soap (preferably liquid)
  and warm running water

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Handwashing When?

• After removing gloves
• Before and after patient contact
• After contact with blood or body fluids from any
  patient
• After taking blood pressure or vital signs from
  any patient
• Other times
• After using bathroom
• After blowing or wiping nose
• Before eating
• Before preparing food

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Handwashing How?

• Handwashing procedure
• Running water
• Soap (preferably liquid)
• Friction
• Alcohol-based hand rub

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Handwashing Steps

Step 1
Wet hands and wrists. Apply soap or
alcohol-based hand rub
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Handwashing Steps

Step 2
Right palm over left. Left over right.
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Handwashing Steps

Step 3
Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
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Handwashing Steps

Step 4
Back of the fingers to the opposing fingers
and interlocked.
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Handwashing Steps
Step 5
Rotational rubbing of the right thumb
by clasping it in the left palm. And vice
versa.
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Handwashing Steps

Step 6
Rotational rubbing backwards and forwards with
tops of fingers and thumb of right hand in
left And vice versa.
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Drying Your Hands

• It is important to dry your hands thoroughly
  after
• washing them because
• Damp hands collect microorganisms
• Damp hands spread potentially infectious
  microorgansims
• Damp hands may become colonised with potentially
  infectious microorganisms
• Therefore it is important to pat dry your hands
  thoroughly.
• Pat drying also helps to prevent damage to
  skin.

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Handwashing Tips

• Remember
• Wash hands for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds.
• Ensure you have washed all areas properly.
• Dry hands thoroughly.

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Handwashing in Difficult Situations

• If running water is not immediately available,
  what should you do?
• Use a basin of clean water and wash hands
• Use a clean basin each time
• Use fresh water each time
• DO NOT contaminate sources of fresh / clean water
  by handling ladles or dippers.

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Handwashing in Difficult Situations

• Alternatively
• If water is not immediately available, what
  should you do?
• Use an 70 alcohol based hand rub solution
• Use sufficient to completely cover your hands
• Wash your hands using running water and soap as
  soon as possible
• NB Alcohol will not effectively clean your hands

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Can You Now Answer These Questions?

• Why is hand washing necessary?
• How should you wash your hands? Describe this
  procedure with actions.
• When should you wash your hands?
• What type of soap should you use?
• What should you do if there is no running water
  for hand washing?

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Can You Now Answer These Questions?

• How often should you wash your hands?
• When should you use an alcohol-based hand gel/rub
  solution?
• What strength of alcohol should this be?
• Is drying your hands properly important? Why?

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Take Home Messages

• Hand washing is effective in preventing the
  transmission of transient microorganisms.
• Hand washing removes potentially infectious
  microorganisms.
• Drying hands is important.
• Wash hands after EACH patient contact.

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Hand Washing

• We hope YOU have learnt something about
• hand washing and its role in preventing the
• transmission and control of SARS.
• Thank you for listening.