Hygienic treatment of the hands of medical staff is a mandatory procedure before committing any action with the patient. For processing, various means and preparations are used that do not require a long time investment and are approved by the Pharmacology Committee of the Russian Federation.
What is disinfection for?
Hygienic hand treatment is a disinfecting procedure that prevents nosocomial infections, protecting not only the staff themselves, but also the patients. The purpose of the treatment is the neutralization of microbes that are on the skin of a person after contact with an infected object or are a component of the natural flora of the skin.
There are two types of procedures: hand treatment is hygienic and surgical. The first is required prior to contact with the patient, especially if he should undergo surgical intervention. Hygienic treatment of the hands of personnel must be carried out after contact with saliva, as well as blood. Disinfection must be carried out before wearing sterile gloves. You can wash your hands with a special soap with an antiseptic effect or wipe the skin with an alcohol-containing product.
When is hygiene necessary?
Hygienic treatment of the hands of medical staff is required in the following situations:
- After the treatment of patients who have been diagnosed with an inflammatory process with the release of pus.
- After contact with devices and any other object located next to the patient.
- After every contact with contaminated surfaces.
- After contact with the mucous membranes of a person, his excreta and gauze dressings.
- After contact with the skin of the patient.
- Before performing victim care procedures.
- Before each contact with the patient.
Properly carried out hygienic treatment involves washing with soap and running water in order to get rid of contaminants and reduce the number of microorganisms. In addition, the treatment of hands in a hygienic way - these are procedures for treating the skin with antiseptic agents that help to reduce the number of bacteria to the minimum safe level.
What is used for processing
For washing the hands of medical staff, soap in liquid form is ideally suited, which is dispensed using a dispensary. It is not recommended to use hot water because of the increased risk of dermatitis. Be sure to use a towel to close the tap, not equipped with an elbow drive. In order to dry clean hands, you should use towels made of disposable paper (or individual ones made of cloth).
Hygienic treatment of hands, the algorithm of which includes several simple steps, can be carried out using a skin antiseptic. In this case, pre-washing with soap is not necessary. The product is rubbed into the skin of the hands in the amount indicated on the package of the antiseptic. Particular attention is paid to the fingers, the skin between them and the areas around the nails. A prerequisite for achieving the desired effect is keeping your hands moist for a certain time (usually it is indicated on the product). After the hygienic treatment of the hands is carried out, it is not necessary to wipe them with a towel.
Hygiene Equipment
In order for the hygiene procedure to be carried out in accordance with all the rules and requirements, the following is necessary:
- Running water.
- A liquid soap whose pH is neutral.
- Washbasin with faucet, driven without the help of a touch of the palms (elbow method).
- Alcohol-based antiseptic.
- Disposable towels, both sterile and non-sterile.
- Antimicrobial detergent.
- Disposable rubber gloves (sterile or non-sterile).
- Hand skin care product.
- Household rubber gloves.
- Ballot box for used accessories.
Mandatory Requirements
In the room where antimicrobial treatment of hands is planned, the washbasin should be located in an accessible place. It is equipped with a faucet through which hot and cold water flows, with a special mixer. The design of the faucet should be designed so that water spray is minimized. The hygienic level of hand processing provides for the maximum reduction in the number of microorganisms on the skin, therefore, it is advisable to install several dispensers with means near the wash basin. In one - liquid soap, in the other - an antimicrobial drug, one more should be filled with a skin care product.
Hands are not recommended to be dried with electric type dryers, as they will still remain wet, and the device will cause an air swirl where contaminated particles may be. All tanks with funds should be disposable. In hospitals, you always need to have several antiseptic drugs for treating hands, some of which are intended for workers with sensitive skin.
Algorithm
For all employees of health facilities, hand treatment at a hygienic level is mandatory. The algorithm for cleaning with soap is as follows:
- Squeezing out the necessary amount of liquid soap from the dispenser.
- Wipe palm by palm.
- Rubbing one palm of the hand on the back of the other.
- Wipe the inside of the fingers vertically.
- Rubbing the back of the fingers of a hand folded in a fist, palms of the other (do the same with the other hand).
- Wipe all fingers with circular motions.
- Rubbing each palm with your fingertips.
Surgical disinfection
Surgical hand disinfection is required to completely remove the flora from the hands: resistant as well as transistor. This is done so that the infection can not be transmitted through the hands. Like hand hygiene, surgical disinfection is performed by washing and wiping. The use of alcohol solutions is widespread due to the quick and directed action, the optimal perception of the product by the skin, a long period of action, the effect of the complete removal of microorganisms.
The process of surgical disinfection involves almost the same steps that involves treating the hands at a hygienic level. Surgical Antiseptic Algorithm:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least two minutes.
- Dry hands using a disposable napkin or towel.
- To treat with an antiseptic a brush, a forearm, and also wrists, without wiping hands after that.
- Wait until the product has completely dried, put on sterile gloves.
The exposure time of a specific antiseptic drug, its dosage and other important parameters can be read on the product label or in its instructions. The first hand treatment for each work shift should include the step of cleaning the areas around each nail with a special soft brush - sterile and disposable (or one that is sterilized by autoclaving).
Antiseptic treatment
Antiseptic solution is one of the main means of combating microorganisms, which includes hygienic processing of hands. The algorithm is as follows:
- Washing hands in water at room temperature with liquid soap, drying with a disposable towel.
- The application of the disinfectant with rubbing movements that disinfects the hands.
- With the fingers intertwined, massage the back of the hands.
- With fingers crossed wide apart, rub your palms.
- Rub the product into the thumbs with clenched hands alternately.
- Rubbing the forearms for at least 2 minutes, maximum 3 minutes, treatment of nails and subungual region.
Each step is required to be repeated 4-5 times. Throughout the procedure, it is required to ensure that the hands do not dry out. If necessary, then apply another portion of the disinfectant.
Recommended Hygiene Products
Hygienic hand treatment is a mandatory disinfection process for all medical personnel in contact with patients or various contaminated hospital facilities. For processing, chlorhexidine bigluconate (alcohol solution) in ethanol (70%) is used. In addition, the following drugs are used:
- "Octenisept."
- Ethyl alcohol with additives that effectively soften the skin.
- "Okteniderm."
- Hemisept.
- Highenix.
- "Isopropanol" - 60%.
- "Octeniman."
- "Decosept +".
- "Veltosept."
Before carrying out hygienic treatment, it is necessary to remove all wrist accessories and jewelry. Do not forget to clean your hands with a sterile brush, paying special attention to the nail area. The procedure is carried out once at the beginning of the working day.
Hygiene Requirements
If the tanks for antiseptic agents and soaps are not disposable, then refilling should be done only after they have been thoroughly disinfected, washed with running water and completely dried. It is recommended to use dispensers that work on photocells or those that are squeezed from the elbow.
All used antiseptics intended for skin treatment should be located in quick access at all stages of the treatment process. If the unit is aimed at intensive care of patients, then containers with antiseptics should be placed in places most convenient for medical personnel, for example, at the patient’s bedside or near the entrance to the hospital ward. It is recommended to provide each employee with an individual small-capacity container with an antiseptic.