Handwashing

>>Tip:
If you use bar soap, keep it in a soap rack or dish with holes to allow for drainage.

The three kinds of handwashing

There are three kinds of handwashing used in the clinical setting, each of which is appropriate in different situations:

Handwashing with plain soap and running water
Removes transient microorganisms and soil (such as dirt, blood, feces, and crumbs from food). After most activities (for example, contact with a client, handling specimens or potentially contaminated items, using the toilet or latrine), handwashing with plain soap and water for 10-15 seconds and rinsing in running water is sufficient. If hands are heavily soiled with dirt, blood, or other organic material (such as when gloves have been torn), handwashing for several minutes may be necessary.
Handwashing with antiseptic soap and running water
Removes transient organisms and soil, and kills or inhibits the growth of resident microorganisms. Some antiseptics continue to perform these actions for several hours after hands are washed. This type of handwashing is appropriate in high-risk situations (such as before invasive procedures or contact with immunocompromised clients at high risk of infection).
(Note: Surgical handscrub, which is more involved than handwashing with antiseptics, is covered in the Surgical Scrub and Surgical Attire module of this course.)
Alcohol handrub
Kills or inhibits the growth of transient and resident microorganisms but does not remove microorganisms or soil. This method can be used when handwashing is not possible or practical (such as between surgical cases in high-volume settings), but only if your hands are not visibly soiled with dirt, blood, or other matter.

Alcohol handrubs do not remove dirt, blood, or other matter. If your hands are dirty, wash them with soap under running water.