Surgical hand washing: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: Hand antisepsis has an important place in the prevention of surgical site infections. In this review, we aimed to systematically examine the studies on the comparison between the efficiency of surgical hand washing method and the antiseptics being used. Methods: Between August 2009 and September 2014, 23,450 studies which were published were screened. The databases of "EBSCO", "Pubmed", "Medline", "Cochrane Library", "Science Direct," "Google Academic" and "ULAKBIM" were screened by using the keywords "Surgical hand washing" "comparison of surgical hand scrubbing solutions" and "operating room". Among the acquired studies, only 14 randomized-controlled (RC) and experimental articles were examined. These articles were given in a chronological order containing the authors, years, titles, objectives, samples, methods, findings, discussions and conclusions. Results: Considering the findings that were acquired according to this systematic examination, we observed that majority of studies preferred alcohol-based washing products instead of traditional hand washing products (scrubbing with a soap or a povidone iodine), as traditional methods causes less and even no complications such as hand cracks and scrapes, saves time and, above all, it shows an antibacterial effect in a short time. Recent experimental studies suggest that scrubbing fingernails and hands with an antiseptic solution has no use in surgical decontamination; thus, it is sufficient to scrub until the hand dries and the most efficient alcohol-based hand washing product is chlorhexidine gluconate. Efficiency of antiseptics used in surgical hand washing differs according to the technique of surgical hand washing and the sample group being used. Conclusion: Procurement of surgical hand antisepsis is one of the most important principles in preventing the surgical site infections. Efficiency and preference of surgical hand washing solutions is still a disputable issue. Thus, it is recommended to repeat relevant randomized-controlled and experimental studies in a different sample group.

Surgical Hand Washing – A Clinical Audit of Young Surgeons at a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…All surgical personnel share the goal of providing bacterial decontamination in the operating room. The surgical team's pre-operative hand washing using an antibacterial solution is proven to be effective in preventing nosocomial infections 2 . The normal micro flora of the skin is hidden beneath the superficial layers of our skin in the hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands 6 .…”

“…1 Surgical hand washing is vital in reducing the spread of nosocomial infections as well as surgical site infections. 2 Besides, contaminated hands of healthcare providers and nursing staff can lead to the dissemination of germs and infections to the patients. This is an important cause of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI).…”

“…3 The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) strictly recommends hand washing in five instances to limit the risk of HCAI: (1) prior to coming in contact with the patient; (2) prior to an aseptic task; (3) following the risk of bodily fluid exposure; (4) past patient contact; and (5) after contact with patient surroundings. 3 However, numerous studies have revealed that hand hygiene instructions are still poorly followed, and that improvement efforts are generally ineffective.…”

Assessment of Nurses' knowledge and Performance Regarding Prevention of Open Heart Surgery Site Infection

“…As complexity and numerous precautions have required to prevent open heart SSI; before, during, and after surgery. In addition, absence of standardized in implementation of these measures overall the world (Gök, Kabu & Özbayir, 2016). Therefore it is pivotal to equip nurses with correct knowledge and guidance related infection control policy, hand hygiene, and antibiotic resistance; as they continuously care for risky patients (Mamhidir, Lindberg, Larsson, Fla¨ckman, & Engstro¨m, 2011).…”