I remembered growing up that my mother would always remind me to wash my hands and I am sure that you all have experienced that as well. However, it seems that this routine activity was somehow forgotten. Why is it that one has to be reminded to wash the hands before eating, after blowing the nose, or after using the bathroom? By the way, are you washing your hands correctly?
Microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses are found everywhere and can cause common colds and infectious diseases such as hepatitis A or meningitis. Microbes such as E.coli, shigella and salmonella are spread through direct contact with contaminated objects or surfaces especially after using the bathroom and not washing the hands. Food handlers will most likely cause the contamination of food in restaurants due to poor hand hygiene that can put the customer at risk for gastro-intestinal infection. Hospital workers can spread the disease from patients to patients and among themselves by touching contaminated body fluids and objects. Infection acquired from the hospital would take more time to treat and could be fatal.
Hand Washing TechniqueIt is important that one learns how to wash their hands properly. Washing the hands with soap and rinsing the hands quickly will not destroy the microorganisms. The correct technique in hand washing as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is as follow:
- Use warm running water
- Use 3-5 ml liquid soap and rub hands until lather appears and continue for 15-20 seconds. Avoid using any bar soap that has been used by others
- Make sure that you rub the hands vigorously including all surfaces of the hands, top and palms, between fingers and under fingernails
- Rinse hands under running warm water and leave the water running while drying the hands with disposable towel
- Turn the faucet off with a disposable towel as your barrier
- Use also a disposable towel barrier for the door knob when coming out of the restroom
Today, most public restrooms are equipped with motion activated sensors that can turn on or turn off the faucet, flush the toilet, or dispense paper hand towels in an effort to decrease the spread of infection or cross contamination of infected items.
According CDC, alcohol-based hand rubs are as effective as hand washing with soap and water as long as the hands are not heavily soiled. The use of alcohol-based hand rub is handy and convenient to use when frequent hand washing is needed and when soap and running water is not available.
To learn more about Hand Hygiene in the Health Care Settings according to the Centers for Disease Control, just visit on the website.
