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- Title
Handwashing practices for the prevention of nosocomial infections.
- Authors
Steere, Allen C.; Mallison, George F.; Steere, A C; Mallison, G F
- Abstract
Handwashing is generally considered the most important procedure in preventing nosocomial infections, because many types of these infections may be caused by organisms transmitted on the hands of personnel. Personnel should wash their hands before and after significant contact with any patient. The risk of personnel acquiring transient hand carriage of organisms is usually greatest after contact with excretions, secretions, or blood; patients at greatest risk are those undergoing surgery, those with catheters, and newborn infants. Although handwashing with an antiseptic agent between patient contacts is theoretically desirable, handwashing with soap, water, and mechanical friction are sufficient ro remove most transiently acquired organisms. Antiseptic agents may produce excessively dry skin if used frequently, and any regimen of handwashing that leads to dermatitis negates the purpose of handwashing. We favor antiseptics for handwashing before surgery and other high-risk invasive procedures and in the care of newborn infants but prefer soap and water for other handwashing.
- Subjects
HAND washing; NOSOCOMIAL infections; HEALTH of medical personnel; CROSS infection prevention; ANTI-infective agents; ASEPSIS &; antisepsis; CATHETERIZATION; CHLORHEXIDINE; DETERGENTS; ETHANOL; GLOVES; HAND; HOSPITAL nurseries; INTENSIVE care units; IODINE; NAILS (Anatomy); SKIN inflammation; SOAP; STAPHYLOCOCCUS; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus; OPERATIVE surgery; IODOPHORS; HEXACHLOROPHENE; DISEASE complications; PHARMACODYNAMICS
- Publication
Annals of Internal Medicine, 1975, Vol 83, Issue 5, p683
- ISSN
0003-4819
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.7326/0003-4819-83-5-683