Policy and Procedure Hand Washing and Hand Hygiene
Jennifer Peltz
Clinical-Policy and Procedure Marie Michaels March 9, 2010
The main medical purpose of washing hands is to cleanse the hands of pathogens, including bacteria and/or viruses, and also chemicals which can cause personal harm or disease. This is especially important for people who handle food or work in the medical field, but it is also an important practice for the general public. People can become infected with respiratory illnesses such as influenza or the common cold, for example, if they don't wash their hands before touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Hand washing is the single most important method of preventing the spread of infections and disease. Medical hand washing is for a minimum of 15 seconds using generous amounts of soap and water or gel to lather and rub each part of the hands. Hands should be rubbed together with digits interlocking. If there is debris under fingernails, a bristle brush may be used to remove it. Since germs may remain in the water on the hands it is important to rinse well and wipe dry with a clean towel. After drying, the paper towel should be used to turn off the water, and open any exit door if necessary. This avoids re-contaminating the hands from those surfaces.
The policy and procedure book at the VA Hospital is located at the nurses station. It is easy to find and accessible for all the employees. Every nurses station at the VA Hospital has a policy and procedure book and it is very important that every healthcare professional follows these procedures. Every healthcare professional at the VA Hospital that I spoke to knew where the policy and procedure book was located and knew about most of the procedures that are listed. There are many steps that VA Hospital
