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The Science Behind Hand Washing

December 3, 2007 (King City, CA) - One of the easiest and most inexpensive preventative medicine strategies is literally available at your fingertips and costs less than one penny.  It is called hand washing, and this is National Hand Washing Awareness Week.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.

Hand-transmission is a critical factor in spreading bacteria and viruses causing disease such as colds, flu and food-borne illness.  MRSA – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus – besides being four scary letters to most Americans this year, lives in the nose and on skin, cloth and other surfaces. 

”Hand washing is such a simple thing to do, but we don’t always take the time to do it or get into a habit of washing our hands regularly,” says Laurie Menesez, RN and Infection Control Practitioner at Mee Memorial Hospital.  “Hand hygiene is very important in controlling bacteria and viruses that can be picked up on our hands and transmitted to others without even being aware that it’s happening.  Germs are everywhere; you can’t see them, but they are out there.”

A good example of this happened just a few months ago in the community of King City and at the hospital.  A problem was identified (which was an increase in episodes of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).  Without knowing the exact causing agent, the healthcare professionals at Mee Memorial Hospital followed published guidelines for the prevention and control of gastroenteritis, as well as reinforced the importance of hand hygiene between patient contact and to everyone who entered or exited the facility.  Within 48 to 72 hours, the incidence of illness in the affected hospital unit returned to near baseline.

“We don’t often think about it, but there are barriers to hand washing.  Healthcare personnel are always on the go, which sometimes makes hand washing with soap and water difficult,” says Menesez.  “That’s why hand rubs and sanitizers can help promote good hand hygiene.  They are a lot more accessible than sinks, take less time to use and cause less skin irritation or dryness than many soaps.”

In 2002, the CDC published new guidelines on hand hygiene in healthcare settings, as part of the overall strategy in controlling and eliminating infection and promoting patient safety by recommending the routine use of alcohol hand sanitizers. 

There’s a right way to wash your hands.  A splash of water and a drop or two of soap won’t do the trick.  Follow these simple steps to keep your hands clean:

- Use warm water (not cold or hot)
- Use whatever soap you like; antibacterial soaps are popular, but regular soap works fine
- Rub your hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces; lather up on both sides of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and around your nails.  Wash for 20 seconds (that’s about how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”)
- Rinse well under warm running water and pat dry with a clean towel
- In public restrooms, consider using a paper towel to flush the toilet and open the door because toilet and door handles harbor germs (and be sure to throw the towel away after you leave)
- To prevent chapping or dry skin, use a mild soap with warm water, pat rather than rub hands dry, and apply a moisturizing lotion liberally afterwards

When there is no soap or water available, waterless hand soaps, scrubs or alcohol-based sanitizers are a good alternative.  Be sure to choose a product that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, and rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of the hands and fingers.  Continue rubbing until the sanitizer is completely absorbed, and – most importantly – let your hands dry completely.

Remember, proper and frequent hand washing is the key to preventing the spread of many common infections.  Celebrate National Hand Washing Awareness Week this first full week of December (and every day throughout the year), hum a few verses of “Happy Birthday” and lather up.

Mee Memorial Hospital is a 123-bed, not-for-profit hospital and the anchor facility of Mee Health Systems, a network of healthcare centers, clinics and outreach programs throughout King City, Greenfield, Soledad in southern Monterey County.  Mee Health Systems is committed to the wellness of the communities we serve, and providing access to comprehensive healthcare in a caring, professional and responsible environment.  To learn more about Mee and its facilities, visit www.meememorial.com.

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