According to WS / t313-2009 "hand hygiene standard for medical staff", is it 15 seconds for each kneading step or 15 seconds for six kneading steps?

 

From the process of hand washing and hand disinfection, the whole process of hand washing with soap solution and flowing water includes five steps: wetting, liquid taking, six steps of rubbing, washing and hand drying. The World Health Organization (WTO) guidelines suggest that the operation should take 40-60 seconds. However, when using alcohol hand disinfectant, the whole process only has two steps: taking liquid and rubbing six steps, which should take 20-30 seconds to complete. It can be seen that the total six step kneading time should be at least 15 seconds, not specific 15 seconds or 15 seconds for each kneading step, whether using flowing water or hand disinfectant.

 

Most studies have observed that the average hand washing time of medical staff is less than 15 seconds. Except for very short hand washing time, medical staff often can't wash all surfaces of hands and fingers. The length of kneading time will affect the hand hygiene effect. When kneading with hand disinfectant, if it is dry within 15 seconds, it is because the liquid taken does not reach the recommended value, thus affecting the hand disinfection effect. Although the effect will be better if it is rubbed for a long time, the hand hygiene compliance of medical staff will be reduced if it is rubbed for a long time.

 

Therefore, we should know that it is more important to ensure that every part of the hands is cleaned than to emphasize the time of washing hands.