Comparing of two different methods of hand washing

This assignment will compare two different methods of hand washing within the perioperative environment. It will also discuss how hand washing can influence the prevention of health care infections (HCAI’s) a HCAI is a type of infection that a patient will acquire through a hospital stay. Most infections in hospitals are spread through direct contact (cross contamination) usually on the hands of the healthcare workers (Gould et al, 2008). The most sagacious way of breaking the chain that leads to infection is to first clean the hands and mechanically remove or destroy the micro-organisms and bacteria’s (BJHA 2009).

The cleaning of the hands of the practitioner removes these transient bacteria and micro-organisms that can primarily lead to a health care related infection. (Gould 2009). HCAI’s often occur by direct contact to the skin. The skin is the first line of defence against the bacteria that threaten to invade and cause infection. To keep infection risks low cross infection should be controlled (Fraise and Bradley, 2008). Effective hand washing is the first step in preventing cross infection and the maintaining of hand hygiene is paramount to its control (Gould et al 2008).

However, hands are the preeminent route by which HCAI’s will occur Elliot 1992). In the perioperative environment there are two types of hand washing techniques. Before entering the perioperative environment, hands should be primarily clean. The fingernails should be short. The area under any finger nails of length acts as a breeding ground for bacteria and increases the risk of cross infection (Jeanes and Green 2001). Nails should also be devoid of any nail polish or type of acrylic. All jewellery should be removed and arms should be bare below the elbow. (Weston 2008). One type of hand washing done in the perioperative environment is known as the Ayliffe technique.

It is also referred to as the clinical hand wash. Parker 1999 states “The Ayliffe technique was named after the man who devised it in 1978”. The Ayliffe technique consists of seven steps and is commonly used on the wards and other non-surgical areas of the Hospital. This technique should be done after each individual patient contact (The hand washing liaison group 1999). The Ayliffe hand wash should also be done if the practitioner does any activity that may contaminate the hands; for example- after eating or visiting the bathroom (Dougherty and Lister 2008).

The second hand washing technique used in the perioperative environment is known as the ANTT (Aseptic no touch technique) and is designed to prevent cross infection and reduce infection during any surgical procedure (Rowley 2001). The surgical scrub is an essential element to maintain and promote a sterile field of operating (NATN 2004). The surgical scrub is a systematic washing of the hands and arms up to the elbow and is usually done for between 3-5minutes. (Pirie 2005). A dexterous anti-bacterial cleaning agent is also used.

This is to get rid of as much bacteria as possible off the skin pertaining to the hands and arms (Stoker and Jain 2009). The aim of ward hygiene is to remove transient bacteria and prevent them to being transferred to a susceptible patient. The ANTT is for the same purpose yet done more intensely for a prolonged period (BJHA 2009). To conclude it is the responsibility of everyone involved in a patients stay in hospital (from admission to release) to give the patient the best treatment and safest stay possible.

This is more feasible if an aseptic standard is met in all relevance of the patient’s journey (AFPP 2007). The code of conduct for health care professionals states that “It is the responsibility of all practitioners to act in the best interests of the patient”. Everyone has the right to be treated risk free. The only way to do this is to make the guidelines clear and concise. Universal compliance and a full understanding of the implications of not adhering to the standards is the only way to obtain the best practice (Bissett 2003 British journal of nursing).