It is possible to prevent the spread of diseases and germs using such a simple procedure as hand treatment. Hand processing levels depend on the level of a person’s contact with the potential hazard, as well as on the professional activities that he carries out. The rules for such a disinfection should be familiar not only to every professional medical professional, but also to a simple layman.
Types of microflora
What method is used for hand treatment? The levels of hand processing depend on the tasks and work performed by the medical officer. Since it is not possible to completely clear the skin of pathogenic bacteria, its disinfection should be carried out on an ongoing basis. For general familiarization, it is necessary to give a basic classification of microflora:
- Normal It suggests the presence of constantly living and breeding microorganisms that do not affect a person in a negative way. Their presence provides the formation of antibodies that prevent the formation of gram-negative bacteria. Normal microflora is not completely destroyed by cleaning products or antiseptics.
- Transient. It is observed by medical workers (or any other people) in contact with infected people or objects. It is divided into two additional directions - pathogenic (causes diseases), conditionally pathogenic (provokes damage only under the condition of a certain factor). In addition, there is another separate subgroup - opportunistic microorganisms that infect only immunocompromised individuals.
It should be noted that on the skin of the hands there are the most problematic areas, which are quite problematic to clean from such contaminants. These include rollers near the nails and the space under the nails, as well as the spaces between the fingers.
The first methods of processing hands appeared and began to be used in the mid-19th century. So, at first, a phenol solution was used for disinfection. Currently, it is customary to practice slightly different methods.
Classification of skin disinfection methods
So, how exactly is the classification of a procedure such as hand treatment? Hand processing levels are represented by three types of manipulations:
- Normal processing.
- Hygienic treatment.
- Surgical treatment.
Let's analyze the features of each method a little more.
First stage
Ordinary washing is the easiest and most affordable method of cleaning. Its task is to eliminate dirt and a number of bacteria carried from dirty surfaces and infected people. Medical specialists wash their hands before starting work, after taking the patient, changing clothes, as well as moving to another office or to another place of work. For the procedure can be used:
- Liquid soap, optimally with an individual dispenser. It is applied twice in one wash.
- Solid soap, less desirable, should dry between applications, also used twice.
The effectiveness of simple washing is not more than 70 percent with a double repetition and not more than 40 percent with a single. Before the procedure, it is recommended to remove all jewelry and watches, and thoroughly rub the cleaning agent into the skin, then completely wash it off and repeat the manipulations. The soap used should not contain additional flavors or dyes, it should be neutral.
Second stage
Hand treatment of medical staff is often carried out hygienically. It is carried out, as a rule, in the following cases:
- Before examination or contact with the patient.
- Contact with biological fluids.
- Before and after using disposable gloves.
- When staging various types of catheters, as well as after voiced manipulations.
- When performing manipulations to care for the patient, as well as upon their completion.
- After contact with equipment used for treatment and diagnosis.
- In other potentially dangerous cases of microbial contamination.
Such hygienic treatment involves two stages. At the first stage, classical hand washing is carried out, at the second, disinfection is added using an alcohol-containing antiseptic.
Hygienic or medical treatment of hands can be carried out using the following types of antiseptics:
- Bactericidal soap (in liquid form).
- Alcohol solutions designed specifically for the treatment of skin.
- Bactericidal gel.
An alcohol-free product is applied to moist skin on average in an amount of 3 to 5 milliliters. Alcohol-based products are used on condition of dry skin, they need to be rubbed for about 15-20 seconds. It is allowed to add a small amount of glycerin or lanolin to the antiseptic to soften the skin and prevent its drying out.
Third stage
Surgical hand treatment is the third and most total disinfection method. Its implementation is relevant for all participants in surgical intervention. It is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- Hand washing. It lasts for 2 minutes, after processing the skin, it is necessary to dry it with sterile material.
- The use of an antiseptic. With it, the hands, wrists, and, if necessary, the forearm are processed. There are special standards for the amount of its use, as well as the frequency of use.
It should be noted that surgical treatment of the hands can be carried out exclusively by antiseptics containing alcohol. These include the following drugs:
- "AHD – 2000".
- "AHD – 2000 Special".
- "Decocept".
- Lysannin and others.
Significant contamination treatment
Separately, it is necessary to touch on the question of how the treatment of the hands of the medical staff occurs when the patient's blood gets on them. If the biological fluid directly gets on the skin, you must act according to the following algorithm:
- Remove any contamination with a tissue.
- Cleanse the skin with soap and water.
- Dry the affected area with a disposable sterile tissue.
- Twice the treatment with an alcohol antiseptic.
If contamination gets on the surface of the glove, the procedure undergoes certain changes. They are represented by the following diagram:
- Removing contamination from the material with a disinfectant wipe.
- Washing hands in gloves with water.
- Taking off gloves.
- Hand washing with soap, drying.
- A single use of an antiseptic for the treatment of hand skin.
Basic recommendations
There are general rules for handling hands. They are reduced to the following requirements and recommendations:
- When washing hands, try to stay away from the sink so as not to splash clothing with jets of water.
- The use of soap should ensure the formation of plentiful foam.
- Water for hygiene procedures should have a comfortable temperature (from about 36 to 40 degrees).
- Pay special attention to problem areas where the largest number of bacteria and harmful microorganisms accumulate.
- Rinse your hands so that water flows from your fingers to your wrist, and not vice versa.
- Do not leave soap residue on your skin.
- Use disposable rather than reusable towels or napkins for drying; use them to close the tap after the procedures.
Types of drugs
How to choose suitable antiseptics for hand treatment? When choosing one or another tool, use the following recommendations:
- Soap without antimicrobial additives. Slightly reduces the activity and the number of microbes, has no residual effect, well cleanses from carrying bacteria.
- Antiseptics without alcohol. They are a universal remedy with moderate efficiency, reduce the number of microbes and carrier bacteria, while being characterized by a slight residual effect. With constant use, the quality of their action increases.
- Antiseptics with alcohol. They are most effective against microbes, have a moderate effect against carrier bacteria, and have no residual effect.
Of course, medical workers have specific documents that prescribe how hand treatment should be performed. Hand treatment levels determine the type of drug used to disinfect. For example, we dwell in more detail on the means for surgical treatment:
- Alcohols. The optimal solution is ethyl 70%. Excellent help against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, affect individual viruses and fungi.
- Solutions based on iodine and alcohol - a wide spectrum of action. They help against bacteria, including pathogens of tuberculosis, spores, viruses, protozoa, as well as fungi.
- Iodophors. They help against rotoviruses, herpes, HIV infection, staphylococci and spores.
- Chlorhexidine. It has a narrower spectrum of action, is aimed at gram-positive bacteria, certain categories of fungi.