ASEPSIS DMA G10

SURGICAL HANDS SCRUB

The purpose of surgical hand scrub is to:

• Remove debris and transient microorganisms from the nails, hands, and forearms
• Reduce the resident microbial count to a minimum, and
• Inhibit rapid rebound growth of microorganisms.

Characteristics of a Surgical Scrub :

1. Antimicrobial Action--an ideal agent would have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against pathogenic organisms. This agent would have to work rapidly. An agent that does not work rapidly may not provide adequate bacterial reduction before being rinsed off.

2. Persistent Activity--an agent offering persistent activity keeps the bacterial count low under the gloves. Studies have shown the rate of glove failures increases with the duration of surgery. In addition, studies show bacteria grow faster under gloved than ungloved hands.

3. Safety--the ideal agent would be non-irritating and non-sensitizing. It must have no appreciable ocular or ototoxicity, be safe for use on the body, and not be damaging to the skin or environment.

4. Acceptance--probably most important to achieving compliance in using a new product is its acceptance by the healthcare worker. A product that has ideal antimicrobial action and an excellent safety profile is of little value to good infection control if the user population fails to support its use. 

1. 

• Regulate the flow and temperature of the water
•  Lay  the  brush  on  the  back  of the scrub sink

2. 

Wet hands and arms, for an intitial prescrub wash. Use several drops of surgical detergent ,
work up a heavy lather, then wash the hands and arms to a point about two inches above the elbow.

3. 

Rinse hands and arms thoroughly, allowing the water to run from the hands to the elbows.
Do not retrace or shake the hands and arms, let the water drip from them.

4. 

Take a brush package, moisten brush and work up a lather. Soap fingertips and clean
 the spaces under the fingernails of both hands under running water.

5. 

Lather fingertips with sponge side of brush, then using bristle side of brush, scrub the spaces
under the fingernails of the right or left hand 30 circular strokes. When scrubbing, slightly bend
forward, hold hands and arms above the elbow, and keep arms away from the body.

6. 

Lather digits scrub 20 circular strokes on all four sides of each finger.

7. 

You may begin with the thumb or little finger or the right or left hand.
Scrub one hand and arm completely before moving on to the other hand and  arm.

8. 

• Slightly bend forward, pick up the hand towel from the top of the gown pack and step back from the table.
• Grasp the towel and open it is folded to double thickness lengthwise
• do not allow the towel to touch any unsterile parts of your body.
• Hold your hands and arms above your elbow, and keep your arms away from your body.

9. 

Holding one end of the towel with one of your hands, dry your other hand and
arm with a blotting, rotating motion.

10. 

Holding one end of the work from your fingertips to the elbow.
Do not retrace any area. Dry all sides of the fingers, the forearm, and the arms thoroughly.

11. 

Grasp the other end of the towel and dry your other hand and arm in the same manner.
Discard the towel into a linen receptable.

For more information : http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/Scrub_Gown_and_Glove_Procedures/lesson_1_Section_4.htm