Inservice: Hand washing - RDs for Healthcare, Inc.



Inservice: Hand Washing

Objective:

• Participants will be able to identify:

o Reasons why hand washing is important

o When hands need to be washed

o Proper hand washing technique

Method:

• Lecture, discussion, handout, demonstration.

Inservice:

• The quantity and variety of microbes that we carry on our hands every day is astounding. Many illnesses like diarrhea, colds, and other more threatening diseases can be transferred from the hands to food. Hand washing, when done correctly and often, can help us stay healthy and avoid spreading disease.

• When should hand washing be done?

o Immediately before starting any food preparation and after breaks.

o After using the bathroom.

o After sneezing or blowing your nose.

o After taking a break, eating a meal, or smoking.

o After touching face and hair.

o After handling soiled equipment, utensils, rags, mops, or garbage.

o After returning to the kitchen from any other area.

o During food preparation as often as necessary to prevent contamination, especially when working with raw food or when changing tasks.

o When using plastic gloves, the same rules apply. Remember to wash hands prior to wearing gloves and change gloves after breaks, touching raw foods, changing tasks, etc.

• How to wash hands correctly:

o First dispense the towel if it does not come from a self-dispensing unit.

o Wet hands and arms with warm water.

o Use soap to lather hands and arms.

Hand washing

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RDs for Healthcare

o Wash all surfaces thoroughly, including wrists, palms, the backs of hands, fingers and under the fingernails. A nailbrush may be used to clean under the nails and between fingers.

o Wash for about 20 seconds. To help you remember, sing the “Happy Birthday Song,” or the “Alphabet Song” twice while washing.

o Rinse thoroughly under warm running water. Avoid touching the inside of the sink.

o Dry hands with a disposable towel. Do not use kitchen towels to dry hands.

o Turn off the faucet using the paper towel.

o Use a paper towel to open the door to the bathroom after you have washed your hands. Doorknobs and handles are sources of contamination as well.

o Dispose of the paper towel in a step garbage can. Do not lift the lid of the garbage can or you will re-contaminate your hands.

• Learning Activity:

o Divide the group into teams of two people.

o Have one team member wash their hands while the other team member times them and observes their technique.

o Discuss hand washing procedure and time of scrubbing.

Hand washing

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RDs for Healthcare

Post Test: Hand Washing Importance and Technique

1. True/False (circle one): Hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds.

2. True/False (circle one): You do not need to wash your hands after going to the bathroom.

3. True/False (circle one): You should wash your hands after handling raw meat.

4. True/False (circle one): Hand washing does not help to prevent the spread of disease.

5. True/False (circle one): You can smoke a cigarette on break without washing your hands afterwards.

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RDs for Healthcare

Post-Test Answers:

Hand Washing Importance and Technique

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. False

Hand washing

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RDs for Healthcare

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