CNA Duties: The Importance of Handwashing

Handwashing is the single most important action that you will do in breaking the chain of Infection. It is a daily habit we have been doing since we were children, but now as adults in the health care industry it is more important than ever to stop the spread of infection. As simple an activity as it sounds it is not. You do not just place your hands under water for 2 seconds and dry. We were taught to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. Twenty seconds is the recommended time frame for washing in warm water and soap. Your clinical instructors will teach the proper way.

Your hands are a very important part of you and you must maintain the length of your nails and make sure that your nails are groomed as well. No jagged edges they can be detrimental to patient’s skin. Even though you will be washing your hands at least 100 times a day you can also use the hand sanitizers that are located at each patient’s room, but just remember you need to wash your hands periodically, preferably every 5 uses of the hand sanitizer. This helps that your own hands do not break down from the sanitizer. Some of these sanitizers can be harsh to the skin. I had an issue with one of the brands that it made my hands itch and turn bright red.

You will be wearing gloves at times for a majority of your patient care. Remember just because you use gloves does not mean you do not wash your hands. Every one of us has different hand sizes and shapes. So, make sure you wear the proper size gloves for your comfort. If you have an allergy to Latex, they do carry latex free gloves as well. The supply rooms on the units have the allotted boxes of gloves for the staff in different sizes from small to large. I had an employee with extra small hands and they ordered boxes for her size. A male nurse with extra- large hands they ordered for him. Latex free gloves can also be ordered per one’s allergy. If these items are ordered specific for you make sure you have them put in a special area so that you will always have them for you. They are expensive and are part of the unit’s budget.

100 times a day is an understatement to the number of times one washes their hands. Before and after contact of your patients. Entering and exiting your patient’s room. Before putting on gloves and after removing gloves. You will use gloves to empty bedpans and urinals, just remember after this action change the gloves before you physically touch your patient.

Be proactive to the fight of spreading infection by starting with the simple act of handwashing.