Why Hand Hygiene Is Important.

We all wish our hands could stay clean no matter what we do, but that’s not the reality. Our hands carry thousands of microorganisms, including harmless and potentially harmful ones. Even bacteria that are normally safe on the hands can cause infections if they spread to other parts of the body. Research shows that, on average, we touch our faces around 50 times per hour. Whether rubbing our eyes, scratching our nose, or resting our chin on a hand, face-touching is almost instinctive—a natural way of keeping our hands occupied.

Now, consider all the germs and dirt we accumulate throughout the day—from touching door handles to shaking hands, and even sneezing into our hands. Without realizing it, we transfer all of that directly to our faces. It’s not a pleasant thought, is it? The good news is that good hand hygiene can protect us from these germs. Frequent handwashing or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser is highly effective in preventing the spread of germs from one surface to another. It’s a simple habit that makes a big difference.

Why Everyone Needs to Embrace Good Hand Hygiene Practices.

As a Physician Assistant, I spend most of my day listening to, speaking with, and examining patients. Each encounter reinforces the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections. Clean hands are essential to safeguarding the health of my patients and myself. By diligently washing my hands before and after every patient interaction, I minimize the risk of spreading harmful germs.

Hand hygiene is a key component of good hygiene practices, both in healthcare settings and within the community. It significantly reduces the incidence of infections, particularly gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasize that proper hand hygiene involves cleansing hands with soap and water, antiseptic hand washes, antiseptic hand rubs (such as alcohol-based hand sanitisers, foams, or gels).

When to Wash Your Hands

• When hands are visibly soiled.
• Before and after preparing meals or eating.
• Before and after treating a cut or wound.
• After using the restroom.
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• After touching the garbage, door knobs/handles, and public surfaces.
• After handling animals or animal waste.
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
• After leaving public spaces.

It is always safe to cough/sneeze into your bent elbow or a tissue.

Proper Ways of Handwashing

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap, making sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Using Hand Sanitiser/Alcohol Hand Rub

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are recommended when hands are not visibly soiled. Here’s how to use them effectively:

1. Use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
2. Apply about 3-5ml of the sanitiser into the palm of one hand.
3. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces, until they are dry. This should take about 20 seconds.

Key Considerations

• Handwashing Duration: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds, ensuring all surfaces of the hands and fingers are covered.
• Artificial Nails: While artificial nails can be glamorous, they can also harbour pathogens. To stay clean, consider keeping them short and using a nail scrubbing brush to reduce the risk of germs transmission.
• Visible Soiling: When hands are visibly soiled, wash them with soap and water instead of using a hand sanitiser.
• Hand Drying: Pat dry your hands rather than rubbing them to avoid skin irritation.
• Encourage hand hygiene in children because they are particularly vulnerable to infections.

"Handwashing with soap could protect about 1 out of every 3 young children who get sick with diarrhoea and almost 1 out of 5 young children with respiratory infections like pneumonia" 
                         Center For Disease Control        

Impact and Promotion

Good hand hygiene can significantly reduce infection rates. Its impact is even greater when people are educated on the correct procedures and the importance of hand hygiene at the right times. Promoting hand hygiene should be part of broader hygiene education efforts.

Encouragement

To all of us: I know that building a new habit isn’t easy, but start by being intentional about your hand hygiene and take it one day at a time. Before you know it, it will become second nature. Let’s all commit to this simple yet powerful practice to ensure a healthier community.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. Retrieved from [CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines](https://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/index.html)

2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Retrieved from [WHO Hand Hygiene Guidelines](https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/)

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). When and How to Wash Your Hands. Retrieved from [CDC Handwashing](https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html)