Maximum time of hand hygiene

Concept:

• As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines says hand hygiene takes at least 20- 30 seconds. Duration of Hand Hygiene varies as per the type of Handwashing.

Types of Hand Washing

Social Handwashing

• It is the process of cleansing of hands from all the physical debris and to prevent from infectious diseases. It helps to remove the microorganisms from the skin surface. This is preferred when hands are visibly soiled or before eating etc.
• Duration: 20 to 30 seconds with soap and water.

Antiseptic Handwashing

• It is the procedure to maintenance od hand hygiene with the help of Anti Septic Solutions including chlorhexidine and iodine.
• This is used when hands are not visibly soiled and after touching and before touching the patient.
• Duration is at least 20 Seconds.

Surgical Hand Washing

• As the name suggests, this is used prior to sterile operations, including surgical procedures.
• This procedure mainly removes resident microorganisms that live on the surface of the skin in addition to transient microorganisms.
• Immediately after surgical handwashing surgical gloves are donned to prevent microorganisms from returning to the surface of the skin.
• Duration: is for 2–6 minutes