The importance of handwashing in the prevention of infections.

Given the information circulating in various media about the presence of multiresistant bacteria (example KPC) in different hospitals, we share readings related to hand hygiene, a fundamental aspect for the control of the dispersion of these bacteria and thus prevent infections.

There are many aspects and measures for the prevention of infections, including hand hygiene. It is a simple measure, very effective and available to everyone, cheap and with a very important impact on the quality of care.
When we talk about hand hygiene we mean hand washing with soap and water and / or alcohol-gel solutions.

According to the WHO “the prevention of infections is a fundamental part of strengthening health systems. Hand hygiene is the basis of all interventions, either by inserting an invasive medical device, manipulating a surgical wound, or by performing an injection. ”

For WHO, it is one of the universal measures, such as quality control.

It is important to know that, although it is a measure that must be reinforced when an infectious outbreak is experienced in health institutions, hand hygiene should be a daily practice.
The MSP especially recommends that healthcare centers promote hand hygiene programs with monitoring and adherence audits. The five steps of the handwash proposed by WHO should be the guide to ensure proper and effective practice.

Because of the importance of this topic, we share readings selected by the SMU Virtual Health Library on Hand Hygiene.