Handwash technique
Developing a good hand washing technique is imperative to ensure hands are thoroughly clean. Particular attention should be paid to the backs of the hands and fingertips as these are frequently missed. The image below shows the most frequently missed parts of the hands when the correct hand washing technique is not adopted.
The skin should always be properly dried to avoid risk of chapping particularly during cold weather. Clean towels should be available at all times – dirty towels mean exposing the skin to more dirt and the risk of infection. Ideally, disposable paper towels should be used, as the use of ‘communal’ towels can lead to contamination.
Hand wash Procedure
- Wet hands with water
- Apply single shot of soap
- Rub hands palm to palm
- Rub back of each hand with the palm of other the hand with fingers interlaced
- Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced
- Rub with backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
- Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand using rotational movement
- Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in circular motion
- Rub each wrist with opposite hand
- Rinse hands with water
- Dry thoroughly
Wash hands before and after having food, and every time after going out and before entering the house.
