Hand Hygiene Essay

The proper practice of hand hygiene is of importance in any healthcare setting, as it is the most effective method to decrease healthcare-acquired infections that can potentially lead to illness. It has been determined that “… approximately 20%-40% of these infections are a result of cross-infection via the hands of healthcare personnel,” which emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all healthcare personnel is well informed of correct hand washing methods (1). In Cuny’s article “Hand Hygiene and Hand Care,” the reader is informed of the role of transient organisms, skin structures, and inhibiting factors when practicing proper hand washing for routine and surgical procedures. There are factors that play an important role in understanding

For routine procedures, such as before dooming and removing gloves, hand hygiene can be accomplished by vigorously washing the hands with antimicrobial soap for fifteen seconds under cool water, or with the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer by applying it and rubbing it in the hands until the product is dry. Proper hand hygiene for surgical procedures can be accomplished through washing hands with antimicrobial soap in accordance to the specific guidelines by the manufacture of the product or washing hands with normal soap and water followed by application of an alcohol-based hand

Cuny accomplishes the purpose of informing the reader about effective hand hygiene by highlighting important factors that must be taken into consideration when working in a healthcare setting and when constantly practicing hand hygiene methods. As a dental assisting student and healthcare worker, it is interesting and surprising to be informed of the many factors that come into play in the reduction of cross-infection and how easily transient organisms can be easily transferred through ineffective hand washing. As someone who comes in contact with a large amount of people and objects on a daily basis and is unknowingly exposed to many pathogenic organisms, it is of interest and relief to read about proper hand hygiene. This newly gained knowledge about transient organisms and the ineffectiveness of the use of ring and artificial nails will be put to practice to ensure that cross-infection does not occur for the safety of oneself and everybody else in and outside the dental