Q. Explain the Wash Technique used in sterilization process?

Use of artificial nails is contraindicated as is use of colored nail polish. Nails should be short enough to allow thorough cleaning and to prevent tears. Sharp or broken nails encourage glove tearing and should be avoided.

All hand jewelry should be removed, however, it is not the purpose of the infection control program to alienate the reader on personal or religious grounds, therefore only those rings which are significantly raised and/or are multifaceted and may cause injury to the patient or readily cause glove tears should be removed. Watches or bracelets should be maintained under the cuffs of the clinic jackets to protect the wearer from spatter of blood and saliva.

Hands are always washed at the start and end of each clinic session, morning and afternoon. This has formerly been called the 'long wash technique' and differs from usual technique only by the additional cleaning of fingernails which should be done anytime there is visible soil under the fingernails.

a) wet hands from fingertips to wrist with cool water, wet nailbrush and place soap.

b) clean the fingernails with a nailbrush 15 seconds or until visible soil is removed

c) rinse with cool water 15 seconds or until all traces of soap are removed

d) place soap on hands and scrub hands vigorously

e) rinse with cool water until all traces of soap are removed