1. Unit 4 assignment 1: modes of action
Laura Pasnicki
Microbiology

2. Hand washing with Germy

3. Resident Organisms-natural within the body; skin/hair follicles
Permanent flora
Reestablish themselves
Not removed by hand washing
Normally not associated with transmission of infection
Skin flora
Transient Organisms- acquired from patient environment
Superficial layers of skin
Temporary flora
Does not reestablish
Easily removed by hand washing
Associated with transmission of infection

4. Importance of hand hygiene
An infection occurring in patient during hospital which was not present upon admission
Infection acquired after discharge; and also occupational infections among health care workers
Nosocomial/hospital infection
On average a patient spends 11 days or longer in hospital if they acquire health care associated infection
HCAI are costly and one of the leading costs in hospitals r/t hospitalization

5. Why is hand washing so important?
Importance of hand washing
Hand washing prevents the spread of germs and bacteria
Antibiotics do not kill germs on the hands.
Hands are exposed the most and carry the most germs; then germs transmitted to eyes, mouth nose, or food then transferred into the body.
Germs hide on all areas: remotes, door knobs, faucets, and so much more.
Hand washing is a safeguard against infectious agents.

6. Antiseptics used in hand washing
Alcohol-Based Products
Gel: used in dispensers, no drip, amount is measured, individual bottles for personal use
Foam: difficult to measure accurate amount for killing germs
Rinse: may splash/drip, measurable amount
Wipe: limited effect, single-use; convenient
If not used properly alcohol-based products will not be
effective in killing germs
Alcohol in the sanitizer kills 60%-70% of germs

7. Addressing hand hygiene in the hospital setting
There is a place and time to use soap and water and when to use alcohol-based gels.
We need for everyone to know that germs can live on unwashed hands for hours.
Although we may be in a rush and think our hands are not soiled 99% of the time they are soiled and should be washed instead of using an alcohol-based gel.
It is important that we understand the mode of transmission

8. Hand hygiene Alcohol-Based Rub Washing With Soap/Water
Requires less time
Acts quickly to kill microorganisms
More accessible
Less irritating to skin
Can improve skin condition
Apply rub to palm of one hand
Rub hands together covering all areas hands/fingers
Rub hands together until dry
Washing With Soap/Water
Interrupts the spread of disease
Wash hands with soap/water for seconds singing “happy birthday”
Remove any jewelry before washing
Wash hands up above wrists and rinse downward removing dirt away from body

9. Target reasons
Understand why healthcare workers MUST NOT exercise poor hygiene:
Poor personal hygiene
Ear jewelry
Wear artificial/ have long nails
Why
Nails can puncture gloves
Can get caught in objects
Poor personal hygiene can be a breeding ground for microorganisms/fungi

10. How we will improve our hand hygiene #’s
Real time location
Motion sensors when entering and leaving rooms
Monitoring hand gel/soap dispensers when entering and leaving rooms
These will give us estimate numbers of hand hygiene and show us where we need to improve
5 moments for hand hygiene
Before touching a patient
Before clean/aseptic procedure
After body fluid exposure risk
After touching a patient
After touching patient surroundings

11. references
Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. (2015, January 8). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from
Adult health. (2015, January 1). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from