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When to clean your hands
Also called: hand hygiene
Before and after every patient, and before gloving and after ungloving.
Clean your hands before and after treating each patient, before putting on gloves and right after taking them off, and whenever they get dirty. Use alcohol hand rub unless your hands are visibly soiled, in which case wash with soap and water.
What you do
- Rub alcohol hand rub over all surfaces until dry; wash with soap for at least 15 seconds when needed.
Safety and care
- Gloves do not replace hand hygiene; gloves can have tiny holes.
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17), CDC. Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers