WHAT IS HAND HYGIENE?
Handwashing is the act of cleaning one’s hands with the use of any liquid with or without soap for the purpose of removing dirt or microorganisms. It is the most effective measure in reducing the risk of transmitting infectious diseases.
It cannot be said too often that hand washing is the most important and most basic technique in preventing and controlling infections. It is the single most effective infection control measure.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HAND HYGIENE?
There are three (3) types of hand hygiene.
Hand Washing with soap and water for 40 to 60 seconds.
Hand Rub with use of alcohol- based hand rub for 20 to 30 seconds.
Surgical hand scrub is performed prior to any surgical or aseptic procedure; perform first wash of the day for 5 mins then 2 to 3 mins in between operations.
WHAT ARE THE FIVE (5) MOMENTS OF HAND HYGIENE?
Moment 1: BEFORE TOUCHING A PATIENT
Moment 2. BEFORE CLEAN OR ASEPTIC PROCEDURE
Moment 3: AFTER BODY FLUID EXPOSURE RISK
Moment 4: AFTER TOUCHING THE PATIENT
Moment 5: AFTER TOUCHING THE PATIENT SURROUNDINGS
IF MY HANDS ARE VISIBLY SOILED SHOULD I PERFORM HAND WASHING OR HAND RUBBING?
When hands are visibly soiled with blood, body fluid or dirt it is recommended to perform hand washing with soap and water.
WHAT IS PAPR?
Powered Air Purifying Respirator or PAPR is respirators that protect the user by filtering out contaminants in the air and use a battery-operated blower to provide the user with clean air through a tight-fitting respirator, a loose-fitting hood, or a helmet.
WHO SHOULD USE THE PAPR?
PAPR is recommended to be used by a healthcare worker who will provide care to a patient under Airborne Isolation or will perform an aerosol generating procedure but:
Failed in Respirator (N95) fit testing
Has a beard.
Or the fit tested N95 respirator is not available.
WHAT IS PPE?
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is “specialized clothing or equipment, worn by an employee for protection against infectious materials.”
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS INFLUENCING PPE SELECTION?
This is determined by the type of anticipated exposure, such as touch, splashes or sprays, or large volumes of blood or body fluids that might penetrate the clothing. PPE selection, in particular the combination of PPE, also is determined by the category of isolation precautions a patient is on.
WHAT ARE THE PROPER PPE SELECTION BASED ON ISOLATION PRECAUTION?
AIRBORNE PRECAUTION: PPE needed (N95 high efficacy respirator or PAPR, isolation gown, gloves, googles or face shield).
DROPLET PRECAUTION: PPE needed (surgical mask, isolation gown, gloves, googles or face shield)
CONTACT PRECAUTION: PPE needed (isolation gown, gloves)
WHAT ARE THE PROPER SEQUENCE OF DONNING (WEARING) PPE?
GOWN
MASK
GOGGLES/ EYE PROTECTION
GLOVES
WHAT ARE THE PROPER SEQUENCE OF DOFFING (REMOVING) PPE?
GLOVES
GOGLES
GOWN
MASK