Nursing & Healthcare Programs

Handwashing for CNAs

Written by Hollie Finders, RN
Hollie Finders is a registered nurse with years of experience working in the health care field. She has degrees in both biochemistry and nursing. After working with patients of all ages, Hollie now specializes in pediatric intensive care nursing. Hollie’s LinkedIn

Handwashing Procedure

Equipment needed: sink, soap, and paper towels

  1. Turn on faucet and adjust water temperature to a comfortable setting.
  2. If necessary, roll up sleeves. From this point forward, avoid readjusting the water temperature or touching any part of the sink.
  3. Wet hands, keeping arms angled downward, so the water runs from cleanest area (wrists) to the dirtiest area (fingertips).
  4. Apply soap to hands.
  5. Create a lather by rubbing hands together. Scrub all surfaces of the wrists, hands, fingers, spaces between fingers, thumbs, and cuticles for a minimum of 15 seconds.
  6. Clean beneath fingernails by gently scratching them in the palm of the opposite hand or by scraping under each nail individually.
  7. Thoroughly rinse all cleansed surfaces to remove any remaining suds. Remember to angle arms to keep the fingers lower than the wrists.
  8. Use a clean, dry paper towel to dry hands. Discard the used paper towel. Don’t shake hands to dry them.
  9. Use another clean paper towel to turn off the faucet. Discard the used paper towel.
  10. If hands are contaminated at any point in this process, stop and repeat steps 1-9.

The Importance of Handwashing

Handwashing is considered the single most important practice to prevent the spread of infection [1]. Even when hands look clean, they could potentially be crawling with dangerous microorganisms and pathogens. Using soap and friction during handwashing helps loosen the oils on the skin, allowing dirt and pathogens to be rinsed away.

In the health care setting, handwashing is a key component of standard precautions and an infection control measure that applies to all patients regardless of their infection status [2]. Failure to wash one’s hands puts the patient receiving care, other patients, and the health care worker at risk of infection. All health care workers are expected to wash their hands before and after every patient encounter, between cases, before and after wearing gloves, and any time the hands are soiled. Using proper handwashing technique helps break the chain of infection and creates a safer environment for all individuals.

References

1. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/infection/infection.html

2. http://www.cdc.gov/hai/settings/outpatient/basic-infection-control-prevention-plan-2011/fundamental-of-infection-prevention.html

More Resources

Partial Bed Bath

Bathing is an important part of a patient’s health routine. A partial bed bath focuses on bathing sensitive areas that cause discomfort if not cleansed frequently, such as the face, hands, axillae, back, and perineum. Though patients receiving a bed bath are typically confined to the bed, some are able to wash themselves and should be encouraged to do so to promote independence.

Transferring the Resident from a Bed with a Mechanical Lift

A mechanical lift is used to transfer residents who cannot support their own weight. When used properly, mechanical lifts prevent injuries for both residents and health care workers. It is important that a nurse’s assistant be trained to use the mechanical lift before attempting to operate it. Most facilities require at least two health care workers to assist when using a mechanical lift.

Logrolling the Resident

Logrolling is a technique used to roll a resident onto their side without the resident helping, and while keeping the resident’s spine in a straight line. This is especially important for residents who have had spinal surgery or injury.

Caring for a Patient’s Dentures

For patients with dentures, care of the dentures is just as important as brushing natural teeth. Good denture hygiene and fit helps prevent oral irritation and infection.

Performing Ostomy Care

Residents who have had a portion of their intestines removed due to illness or trauma may have a temporary or permanent ostomy, which is an opening in the abdomen that is created for the elimination of urine or feces. The portion of the intestine that is connected to the abdominal wall and is visible is called the stoma. A pouch is placed over the stoma to collect feces.

Applying Elastic Support Hose

Elastic stockings are worn to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and reduce the pooling of blood in vessels. Many hospitals and care facilities use elastic stockings in patients with reduced mobility, such as surgical patients and/or the elderly. There are a few risks in wearing elastic stockings; however, these risks can be prevented with proper application and care.