- Internal Code :
- Subject Code : NRB11103
- University :
- Subject Name : Nursing
Demonstration of How To Wash Hands
Description
As a part of NRB 11103 assessment, I was asked to record a video demonstrating how to wash hands by following the correct protocol as attributed by world hand hygiene standards for both soiled and unsoiled hands. So I made a video in which two main points were discussed in the video. Primarily, I have talked about the seven steps involved in the technique of washing hands by the means of soap. It is more important to use soap for washing hands when they are visibly dirty/soiled. Further, I also mentioned the events when hand washing is a must in a clinical setting; these involve maintaining the hygiene properly either using a soap or a hand sanitizing gel in the following five scenarios: prior to when a patient has to be touched, prior to the scheduled procedure, following the exposure of body fluids and/or following touching a patient or his surroundings. In the second part, I explained the method of using an antiseptic gel as a hands rub, which is done when the dirt and impurities on our hands are invisible, and the same technique followed for the hands wash is used.
Feeling
During the video shoot I was experiencing mixed emotions; I was both anxious and stressed. Prior to the commencement of the shoot, I had a proper idea of how and what I was going to say, but I started being afraid as soon as the recording began. I was worried that I would not be able to end my discussion in the allotted time limit. The other thought that was bothering me was that my speech would not be clear enough. As a result, I was tremendously nervous as my supervisor was going to watch me live. These all feelings led me to make a few errors and I also missed discussing some content.
Evaluation
The experience was completely different for me as I have never been an outspoken person who enjoys talking in front of a camera therefore; I got extremely anxious, which led me to forget a couple of steps. However, when I realised that things were not going as planned, I tried to focus by taking deep breaths. I was relieved when the recording finished in the required time limit. Although I managed to calm down while the recording was going on, I missed a few steps that I initially wished to explain and so I was not satisfied with the outcome. I forgot to mention that it is important to remove ornaments and to cover any cuts or bruises before washing hands. Moreover, I did not find most of the steps mentioned in the video up to the required clarity.
Analysis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the workplace, washing hands properly is a very important step especially while dealing with patients. It is essential to wash hand because it can certainly prevent the spread of infection and cross contamination. When proper hand washing protocols are not followed, some sensitive patients can be kept at risk. On an average, around four percent of patients in Wales picks up infections associated to healthcare during their hospital stay. Cross transmission of microorganisms from healthcare workers’ hands has to be blamed in such a scenario (Moses, 2016).
The world health organisation states that in order to maintain routine hand hygiene, hands must be cleaned by using alcohol based rubs in cases when the dirt on hands is not visible. This process is highly effective and relatively faster and preferably endured by the hands over washing with cleanser and water. But when the dirt and impurities over the hands are visible or when the hands are soiled with a body fluid such as blood, they should be properly cleansed using soap and water combination. After using a restroom also, soap and water cleansing is the best way of getting rid of the unwanted germs. Cleansing with soap and water is the preferred way of removing the suspected spore-making microorganisms from the hands for example, Clostridium difficile outbreaks.
Infections associated to healthcare are a significant burden for health and hand hygiene comes amongst the fundamental prevention techniques. World Health Organisation (2009) recommended in their guidelines the five basic times during the patient care when hand washing is a mandatory. These include prior to when a patient has to be touched, prior to the scheduled procedure, following the exposure of body fluids and/or following touching a patient or his surroundings. Hand hygiene maintenance chances at these times are frequent but the adherence to the standards is still low (22 to 60%). Since risk of infections is specifically greater for trauma patients, hand hygiene should be appropriately complied with.
Our intact skin acts as the first barrier against all the infections. Severed skin can prompt contamination in the host as well as harbor higher quantities of pathogens than unscathed skin and henceforth increments the danger of transmission to other people. Severed skin on medicinal practioners is a significant issue and should be truly tended to be resolved.
The appropriate duration of washing hands is 20-30 seconds and there are steps involved in this washing, which I forgot to mention in my video recording. Hand hygiene in Australia elucidates that a palmful of the solution/product should be taken in the hand, covering all the hand surfaces and right palm should be kept over the left dorsum with intertwined fingers and similarly for the other hand. Both palms should be together and fingers should be entwined, backs of fingers should be rubbed with opposite palms with interlocked fingers and rotational scouring of left thumb caught in right palm and vice versa. Rubbing should be done rotationally, in forward and reverse with fastened fingers of left hand in the palm of the left hand and vice versa. Finally, when the hands are dried, they are protected.
Conclusion
From this experience of video recording, I have learnt a whole new skill and gained more knowledge of hand hygiene technique. Earlier I was not aware that washing hands is so complicated and there are particular steps to be performed for maintaining hand hygiene. I used to think that hand wash could only take 5-10 seconds and not 20-30 seconds. This practice gave me a whole new horizon of an essential skill for my future as health care worker. If in case I would do the recording again, I would practice the steps of hand hygiene more and would research on more information related to the topic. I would also maintain a proper pace while speaking in my recording. I will ensure to practice the steps that I had forgotten in order to avoid making the same mistake again and to be more successful in the future.
Action Plan
I will make sure to practice proper hand washing technique; I would probably require more training on this procedure.
References
Moses, S. (2016). Undefined. Nursing Standard, 31(13), 34-34. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.31.13.34.s39
Remember, at the center of any academic work, lies clarity and evidence. Should you need further assistance, do look up to our Nursing Assignment Help