"7 Steps of Hand Hygiene: WHO's Essential Guide"

Hand hygiene is a simple yet powerful way to prevent the spread of infections and diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined a seven-step process for effective hand hygiene. Let's dive into these steps, understanding their importance and how to perform them correctly.

Why Hand Hygiene Matters

Hand hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections. It's also crucial in everyday life to protect ourselves and others from common illnesses like the flu, colds, and gastrointestinal infections. According to the WHO, hand hygiene can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by 42-60%.

The 7 Steps of Hand Hygiene by WHO

Step 1: Wet Your Hands

Wet your hands with water, either tap water or an alcohol-based hand rub. The choice depends on the situation and the availability of soap and clean water. Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against most types of germs, but they don't kill all types of germs, including norovirus and Clostridium difficile.

Step 2: Apply the Substance

Apply the substance (soap or alcohol-based hand rub) to the palm of one hand. For alcohol-based hand rubs, the WHO recommends using a volume of 3 milliliters (about 2 pumps of a standard pump dispenser).

Step 3: Lather and Rub Hands Palms Together

Rub your hands palm to palm to make a lather. Use the backs of your hands to scrub your palms, and use your fingers to scrub the backs of your hands.

Step 4: Clean Between Your Fingers

Interlace your fingers and rub them together to clean the spaces between your fingers. This step is crucial as these areas can harbor a lot of germs.

Step 5: Clean Your Thumbs

Rub your thumbs with your opposite palms, rotating your hands to clean all surfaces of your thumbs.

Step 6: Clean Your Fingernails

Clean under your nails by placing the tips of your fingers on the palm of your opposite hand and rubbing in a circular motion. This helps to remove germs that can hide under your nails.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

Rinse your hands well with clean, running water. Turn off the tap using a towel or your elbow to avoid re-contaminating your hands. Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer. If possible, use a towel to turn off the tap to avoid re-contaminating your hands.

When to Perform Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene should be performed at key times, such as:

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching animals, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• After using the toilet
• Before eating or preparing food
• Before and after touching a wound or handling medical equipment

Remember, hand hygiene is not just about washing your hands; it's about doing it effectively and at the right times. The WHO's seven steps provide a simple yet powerful guide to protect yourself and others from infections and diseases.