Hand washing an important habit Published Dec. 10, 2010 By Capt. Terri M. Chapin Infection Control Officer, 72nd Medical Group TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- This week is National Handwashing Awareness Week, a very important observation and something everyone can participate in. Hand washing is easy, but it is one of the most important things we can do to prevent the spread of infection and illness. Keeping your hands clean can prevent the spread of infectious diseases at school, work and home. Unclean hands are not only a potential risk for people you contact, you are also putting yourself at risk by touching your own mouth, nose or eyes. Studies show that even when hand washing occurs, the duration is often inadequate (standard time is 20 to 30 seconds). Up to half of all men and a quarter of women fail to wash their hands after they use the bathroom. Right handed people tend to wash their left hand more thoroughly than their right, and vice versa. People have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between their fingertips and elbows. Damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands. The number of germs on your fingertips doubles after you use the toilet. Germs can stay alive on hands for up to three hours. Millions of germs hide under watches and bracelets. With that being said it is important to understand some hand washing guidelines: · Before and after eating · Before and after preparing food · After handling uncooked meat and poultry · After using the bathroom · After changing diapers · Before and after tending to someone who is sick · After coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose · After touching environmental surfaces Now that you know when to wash your hands, review these steps for proper hand washing technique: Wet hands with clean, warm running water and apply soap. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub hands for 20 to 30 seconds. Make sure you get in between your fingers, underneath fingernails and your wrist. (Hint, sing Happy Birthday to Me two times). Rinse hands well under warm, running water. Dry hands with paper towel or hand dryer. Use paper towel to turn off faucet. Whenever possible, use another paper towel to open door; throw paper towel away. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to clean your hands. Take the time to recognize the importance of National Handwashing Week and make good hand washing part of your every day routine. Hand washing is one of the most effective steps we can take in the prevention of illness and infection and its easy.