Hand-washing Guidance for Elderly People to Prevent Infection

Abstract

Hand-washing is one of the most important procedures for preventing the spread of infection in the community. This study investigated the effect of hand-washing on bacterial removal in elderly people washing their own hands. The hand-washing methods among elderly people were also observed. Guidance of hand-washing for elderly people was then developed. Hand-washing was performed with liquid soap and water by 17 elderly people and 15 nurses. More bacteria (620.2 CFU) were detected from the hands of elderly people than from the hands of nurses (164.1 CFU). More bacteria were detected after washing than before washing in 8 of the 17 elderly people (47%). Before guidance, half of the elderly people rubbed the palm, back of the hand and interdigital spaces, but often missed the tips of the fingers, thumbs and wrists. In addition, only a few people thoroughly rinsed their hands (23.5%) and thoroughly dried their hands (29.4%). After guidance, 64.7% of the elderly people scrubbed the tips of fingers, 76.5% scrubbed the thumbs, and 41.2% scrubbed the wrist. Furthermore, 70.0% rinsed thoroughly and 94.1% dried their hands thoroughly. Effective methods of hand-washing rather than simply recommending hand-washing are essential to prevent the spread of infection. © 2009, Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control. All rights reserved.