Back to: Linking to Care, Point of Care Testing (POCT). Aotearoa Edition
This section and lesson is more for interest and learning. Health Network Collective encourages you to open the links, watch the videos and take some time to help better understand one of the most important aspects of infection control, hand hygiene.
Here’s a great video from He Puna Waiora, Healthify NZ, explaining in really simple terms why hand washing with soap and water is our best defence and option, when available. This is based on COVID however the message is similar for microbes and nasties we don’t want in our or our wai ora life.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has some great information regarding soap washing vs hand sanitizers that you can access here. In brief, ordinary soap handwashing is best, the exceptions are some specialist clinical environments such as surgical facilities. And, ordinary soap is best. A 2016 US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) ruling removed the sale of antibacterial soaps from over the counter sales when manufacturers failed to show substantial benefit, and in fact research suggested that these soaps may contribute to microbial resistance.
A 2020 randomized single blinded controlled trial amongst dental college students comparing hand sanitizer based hand hygiene to soap and water based hand hygiene to World Health Organization (WHO) combined soap washing and sanitizer protocols showed negligible differences. This study was conducted with individuals who were practiced at hand hygiene with proficient techniques. Multiple other studies have shown that soap and water hand hygiene or washing is more efficient at removing actual dirt.
SO….
- What if I have water but no soap to clean my hands…
- Rub and wash your hands under clean running water as we discussed in the previous lesson. Dry your hands and then use a sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol content. The friction in rubbing helps remove and kill some nasties, running water helps clean and the sanitizer does the rest.
- I only have hand sanitizer…
- Use it, follow the same procedure as with hand washing with soap and water, and ensure that the sanitizer remains wet on you hands for the procedure. This means you may need to apply more as you wash / rub your hands.
- Is warm or cold-water better…
- Whatever temperature is comfortable for you.
- What if the water source is dirty, discolored or contaminated…
- Consider boiling, filtering or adding mild disinfectant such as a mild bleach solution. Otherwise just use hand sanitizer. Please follow recommendations from manufacturers if using the bleach or disinfectant option, if in doubt just use hand sanitizer.
- When should I wash my hands… here’s a CDC lowdown on recommendations
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before and after eating food
- Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhoea
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean your hands.
This “Show me the Science” article from the CDC has some great information and a list of academic studies and resources if you really want to learn some quality information and science behind hand washing. Again, one of the most important aspects of infection control, hand hygiene.
