Anatomical Surgical Hand Scrub

Summary

This training video instructs on the proper surgical hand scrub technique using the brush stroke method to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. It emphasizes the importance of removing jewelry, ensuring skin and nails are in good condition, and wearing personal protective equipment. The scrub procedure involves using a hospital-approved antiseptic sponge to clean hands and arms methodically, with specific strokes and rinse techniques. The video concludes with instructions for turning off the water with a knee control, drying hands, and preparing for gowning and gloving.

Takeaways

• 👨‍⚕️ Proper surgical hand scrub is crucial for reducing surgical site infections.
• ⏰ The scrub procedure should take about 3 to 5 minutes to ensure effectiveness.
• 💍 Remove all jewelry and ensure nails are clean and intact before starting the scrub.
• 👕 Wear personal protective equipment, including a surgical head covering, eye protection, and mask.
• 🧼 Use hospital-approved antiseptic solutions like chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine for scrubbing.
• 🚿 Pre-wash hands and arms if it's the first case of the day or if hands are visibly soiled.
• 🪥 Clean under the fingernails with a disposable nail pick before discarding it.
• 🖐️ Scrub the fingertips with the abrasive side of the sponge and the rest of the hand with the non-abrasive side.
• 🔄 Apply ten strokes to each section of the hand and arm, and avoid going back over scrubbed areas.
• 💧 Rinse hands and arms from fingertips to elbow in one direction without moving arms back and forth.
• 👉 Turn off the water with a knee control to prevent contamination and dry hands with a sterile towel.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the video?

The primary purpose of the video is to provide training on proper surgical hand scrub techniques to decrease the incidence of surgical site infections.

What are the essential steps before starting the surgical hand scrub procedure?

Before starting the surgical hand scrub procedure, one must remove all jewelry from hands and arms, inspect the skin and nails for cuts or wounds, ensure nails do not extend past fingertips, and nail polish is intact without chips or scratches. Acrylics, artificial nails, and nails with foreign bodies are not allowed.

Why is it important to wear personal protective equipment during the scrub process?

Wearing personal protective equipment, including proper eye protection and a surgical mask, is important to prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment in the operating room.

What type of antiseptic solutions are recommended for the surgical hand scrub?

The recommended antiseptic solutions for the surgical hand scrub are chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine, also known as betadine.

How should the surgical sponge be prepared before scrubbing?

The surgical sponge should be moistened under running water by squeezing and releasing it with fingertips together, using a light but firm pressure.

What is the correct technique for scrubbing the fingertips?

The abrasive brush side of the sponge should be used to stroke the nails in a back-and-forth motion approximately 30 times.

How should the rest of the hand and arm be scrubbed after the fingertips?

After scrubbing the fingertips, the non-abrasive side of the sponge should be used to scrub the palm, dorsal surface, and the outside surface of the thumb and fingers, applying ten strokes to each area.

What is the correct way to rinse hands and arms after scrubbing?

Rinsing should start at the fingertips and continue to the hand, forearm, and elbow, moving in one forward direction through the water, always keeping the elbow at a right angle and hand raised above the elbow level.

Why is it important to turn off the water with the knee control after rinsing?

Turning off the water with the knee control after rinsing is important to avoid contamination of the hands, which should remain sterile.

How should the residual water on the hands and arms be removed before donning a sterile surgical gown and gloves?

Residual water should be allowed to drip off the elbows into the sink, and hands should be dried with a sterile towel before donning a sterile surgical gown and gloves.

Why is it necessary to walk backward through the operating room door after the hand scrub procedure?

Walking backward through the operating room door helps to maintain sterility by minimizing contact with non-sterile surfaces and reducing the risk of contaminating the scrubbed hands and arms.