Hand Washing 101
By Susan Vermette, RN, Director, ASK-A-NURSE
From the April 2006
Issue of Applaud Magazine

There’s a medical procedure that takes seconds and requires no special equipment, no advanced training, and is powerful enough to annihilate the toughest germs. The procedure – hand washing – calls for only soap, water and a little patience. The Centers for Disease Control suggest that hand washing not only helps prevent the common cold, but also transmission of more serious diseases like hepatitis, meningitis and infectious diarrhea. Unsuspecting items such as hand railings, door handles and money can transmit bacteria or viruses to hands. People can become infected if dirty hands touch eyes, nose, mouth or other mucous membranes. The more we can do to control the spread of infections, the less need for antibiotics, which lose potency over time as bacteria become resistant. Still, Americans are less likely to hand wash today than they were four years ago. A study conducted for the American Society of Microbiology found that only 67% of people washed their hands after using public bathrooms. Wash before you: Prepare or eat food, or perform a food service activity (includes setting the table) Insert or remove contact lenses Use the bathroom Tend to someone who is ill, or treat a wound or cut Wash after you: Use the bathroom or change a diaper Handle uncooked foods, especially raw meat, fish or poultry Blow your nose, sneeze or cough Touch or play with a pet, especially exotic animals and reptiles Tend to someone who is injured or ill Handle or empty trash What to use: According to the Food and Drug Administration, alcohol gel hand sanitizers are not effective cleaning agents because there is no mechanical activity to wash off the bacteria. How about antibacterial soaps? Almost half the soaps sold in the U.S. contain the antibacterial agent triclosan. Studies show that triclosan controls and reverses outbreaks of resistant bacteria in hospital settings. But recent evidence suggest that triclosan may contribute to a growing number of germs that cannot be killed by ordinary antibiotics. Who’s right? Without more definitive studies, the best prevention is to lather with plain old soap and water, vigorously rubbing ands, together for at least 15 seconds before rinsing. Susan Vermette, RN, is the Director of, ASK-A-NURSE® at Catholic Medical Center, McGregor St., Manchester, NH. ASK-A-NURSE® is a service provided by Catholic Medical Center. As a community service, ASK-A-NURSE® provides hand-washing guidelines to local daycare centers. For more information call ASK-A-NURSE® at 603.626.2626.