The Importance Of Handwashing

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Hand washing is the first line of defense used to prevent or reduce the opportunity for infection. When, bacteria enters through breaks in the skin a patient chances of infection are increased. Therefore, the goal is to ensure the operating room is a pathogen-free environment. Pathogens are bacterium, virus and other microorganisms that cause illness. Doctors have discovered hand washing reduces the rate of infection in patient populations.

As a result had washing has become the medical community’s first defense in the prevention of infections. In order for handwashing to be effective, the antiseptic solution should remain on the hands for the prescribed time recommended by the manufacturer. For that reason, there are two standards for a hand scrub the five and three-minute surgical scrub. Surgical scrubs are not done only when a patient is about to have surgery; scrubs are routinely done before the setup of minor procedures, prior to inserting certain intravenous lines. Any time a pathogen-free environment is required by a technician, nurse or doctor. That sounds easy, pretty basic watching a clock for three to five minutes as you scrub away. Not so fast, a surgical scrub is …show more content…

In order for handwashing to be effective, the antiseptic solution should remain on the hands for the prescribed time recommended by the manufacturer. For that reason, there are two standards for a hand scrub the five and three-minute surgical scrub. Surgical scrubs are not done only when a patient is about to have surgery; scrubs are routinely done before the setup of minor procedures, prior to inserting certain intravenous lines. Any time a pathogen-free environment is required by a technician, nurse or doctor. That sounds easy, pretty basic watching a clock for three to five minutes as you scrub away. Not so fast, a surgical scrub is a controlled, step by step method to wash your

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