application
When should you use an Alcohol Hand Rub?
In the healthcare environment, use of an alcohol-based handrub is the preferred means for routine hand hygiene, providing hands are not visibly soiled.
When to perform hand hygiene:
- Before touching a patient
- Before cleaning/aseptic procedures
- After body fluid exposure/risk
- After touching a patient
- After touching patient surroundings
However, in the following situations, you should perform a thorough handwash using soap and water:
- Whenever hands are visibly dirty
- Whenever they are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids
- After suspected exposure to potential spore-forming pathogens,
including outbreaks of Clostridium difficile - After using the toilet
- If hands are visibly clean but an alcohol-based handrub is not available
Ref: World Health Organisation (2009), WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare.
- Hygienic Handrub Technique
- Surgical Rub Technique
The following technique is in line with the WHO Guidelines and has been approved by the Infection Prevention Society.
This technique should be followed for 30 seconds for maximum effectiveness
Apply 3ml of Spirigel® or Spirigel® Complete to the palm of one hand
Cover whole surface of hands up to wrists, rubbing palm to palm
Spread Spirigel® or Spirigel® Complete over the backs of each hand including the wrists with fingers interlaced
Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced
Grip the fingers on each hand and rub in a sideways back and forth movement
Clasp each thumb in the opposite hand an rotate
Press fingers into palm of each hand and rotate
Rub each wrist with the opposite hand
Once dry, your hands are safe
The following technique is in line with the WHO Guidelines and has been approved by the Infection Prevention Society.
This technique should be followed for 3 minutes for maximum effectiveness
Dispense 5ml of Spirigel® Complete into palm of left hand
Dip fingers of right hand into Spirigel® Complete to decontaminate nails for 5 seconds
Apply Spirigel® Complete on right forearm up to elbow using circular movements to ensure skin is covered
Continue until Spirigel® Complete has fully evaporated
Repeat 1-4 with left hand and arm with 5ml or Spirigel® Complete
Dispense 5ml of Spirigel® Complete into palm of hands
Cover whole surface of hands up to wrists, rubbing palm to palm
Spread Spirigel® Complete over the back of each hand including the wrists with fingers interlaced
Rub palms back and forth with interlaced fingers
Grip the fingers on each hand and rub in a sideways back and forth movement
Clasp each thumb in the opposite hand and rotate
When hands are dry, sterile surgical clothing and gloves can be donned
