Table of Contents
Content Information
Hand hygiene is essential to preventing the spread of germs, keeps everyone healthy, and will be the first step when performing any care and may be performed again during or after the procedure. The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the learner’s health needs.
Tips
Hand hygiene may be required to occur before, during and after care by the paraprofessional. The paraprofessional should assist the student to wash their hands if they are visibly dirty.
When should the paraprofessional wash their hands?
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
- Before and after treating a cut or a wound
- Before and after completing a delegated task
- After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom
- After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
- After handling pet food or pet treats
- After touching garbage
- If hands are visibly dirty or greasy
- Before and after wearing gloves
Steps
- Wet hands with clean running water (warm or cold)
- Apply soap
- Rub hands by rubbing them together back and forth, between fingers and under nails and lather for at least 20 seconds
- Rinse hands with clean water
- Dry thoroughly with disposable towel
- Use towel to turn off faucet
- Verbalizes understanding that gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene