Hand Washing: The First Line Of Infection

Hand washing is the first line of defense used to keep patients free from infection. When bacteria enters through a cut or break in the skin there is a chance of infection. For this reason, the goal is to make the operating room a pathogen free environment. Pathogens are bacterium, virus microorganism that causes illness. Hand washing is one of the biggest ways to prevent infection, hands are washed with antiseptic soap long enough to kill pathogens. There are two standards for hand washing are the five-minute and three-minute surgical scrub. One may think that sounds easy, looking at a clock for five to three minutes as one scrubs away. Not so fast, a surgical scrub is a controlled, step by step method to wash your hands. A clock is not required