7 Steps of Hand Hygiene

A quick and simple technique to stop infections is by washing our hands. Cleaning our hands can stop the transmission of germs particularly those that are hard, if not impossible, to treat and are resistant to antibiotics. Healthcare professionals don't wash their hands nearly as often as they should.

          The WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care offer healthcare professionals (HCWs), hospital administrators, and health authorities a thorough analysis of the research on hand hygiene in healthcare, as well as specific recommendations to improve procedures and lessen the spread of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and HCWs. The current Guidelines are meant to be used in any circumstance when healthcare is provided to a patient or to a particular population group.

          Below are the 7 steps of Hand Hygiene as recommended by the WHO -

1. Wet Hands:

 Hands should be wet with soap or liquid soap applied for a good lather. The ideal temperature of the water should be between 35 ° to 45 ° C.

• Rub the Palms Together:

Hands should be rubbed palm to palm.

• Rub the back of Hands:

Rub the back of the left hand with the right palm, swap the hands and repeat for few times.

• Interlink the fingers:

Bring the hands facing each other and join the fingers together into clasped hands. Next, rub the palms and fingers together.

• Cup the fingers:

Interlock the fingers and rub the backs of them against the palms.

• Clean the Palms:

Enclose the right hand around the left thumb and rub along with the rotation. Swap the hands and repeat it.

• Rub the Palms with the Fingers:

Rub the right fingers in a circular motion in the left palm. Repeat the same with the left fingers.