Hand-washing: Instructions by an RN

It has been known for years; Hand-washing is the single most important step in disease prevention. Protection during a disease outbreak is of special import. Help keep you, your family, your co-workers and your world safe from disease, wash your hands.

How to Wash Hands:

1. With water running, wet hands.
2. Using LIQUID soap, squirt soap into hands.
3. Lather up by scrubbing hands vigorously together for 20-30 seconds. (For children, have them sing the ABC's during hand-washing so they can keep track of time).
4. Turn off the faucet with a disposable paper towel. (Alternatives: Turn off the faucet with an elbow, do not use your hands).
5. Dry hands with a different disposable paper towel not on your clothes. (Alternatives: Use the wall hot-air dryer, turned on by using your elbow; at home if you need to use a personal towel and hang it up)

* If in a public rest-room, use a paper towel to exist the room.

When to Wash Hand:

1. After sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
2. Prior to eating
3. After using the toilet, (in public places, it doesn't hurt to wash hands before and after toileting).
4. After diaper changes or helping a child in the bathroom
5. After touching your pets, handling pet waste, or being in an area where there are animals
6. After taking out the trash
7. After removing dirty clothing
8. Before and after putting in contact lens (touching eyes, nose or mouth)
9. Before and after taking care of a sick person

Tips:

• No soap or water available, no problem: use an alcohol based hand cleanser (ex. Purel), rub hands together with this until they are air dry
• Bar Soap can get contaminated with bacteria, use liquid soap from a dispenser.
• See the poster at http://www.minnesotaarc.org/mat/handwash.html