Hand Hygiene and the WHO Steps

Procedure

WHO steps: how to handwash with soap and water

Use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled. The whole procedure takes 40–60 seconds.

0. Wet hands with water.
1. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
2. Rub hands palm to palm.
3. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers, and vice versa.
4. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
5. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
6. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm, and vice versa.
7. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards, with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm, and vice versa.
8. Rinse hands with water.
9. Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use towel.
10. Use the towel to turn off the faucet.
11. Your hands are now safe.

Source: WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009), "How to Handwash?"

Procedure

WHO steps: how to handrub with alcohol-based rub

Use an alcohol-based handrub when hands are not visibly soiled. The whole procedure takes 20–30 seconds.

1. Apply a palmful of the product in a cupped hand, covering all surfaces.
2. Rub hands palm to palm.
3. Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers, and vice versa.
4. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
5. Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
6. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm, and vice versa.
7. Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards, with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm, and vice versa.
8. Once dry, your hands are safe.

Source: WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (2009), "How to Handrub?"

Practice Question

Test yourself

According to WHO guidelines, when should a nurse perform hand hygiene in relation to patient care?

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