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MEDICAL REASONS FOR HOT WATER HAND WASHING
Hot water hand washing is a vital and intrinsic part in the fight to reduce cross infection.
- 8% of patients acquire an infection during their stay in hospital.
- Hand washing is the single most important measure for preventing the transmission of infection.
- A single infection costs $6,000 to treat and results in a patient spending 3 times longer in hospital (Plowman et al 1999).
- Healthcare workers fail to wash their hands due to the fact of facilities not being quickly accessible and lack of water instantly at the the correct temperature!
Soap and hot water washing
- Hands that are visibly dirty must be washed first in hot water with anti-septic soap.
- Hand decontamination will remove transient micro-organisms as will careful washing with soap and hot water.
- Rinsing ensures that these organisms are properly disposed of.
Recently the British Medical Association issued recommendations in Healthcare Associated Infections - aguide for healthcare professionals which states that;-
Effective hand hygiene is the single most important intervention in infection control and hot water and liquid soap play an important role.
For further information, visit the BMA web site.
Alcohol Rubs
These are a useful adjunct but only suitable for hands that are NOT dirty. Although they are very active against a wide range of Micro-organisims, their continual use will lead to the uncomfortable build up of emollients on the skin which will need to be washed off after two or three applications.
Antiseptic Soaps
Antiseptic Soaps used with hot water will effectively remove and destroy micro-organisms and are higly suitable for most clinical activities. 
This
information has been condensed from the 'Hand Decontamination
Guidelines' published by the Infection Control Nurses Association
(ICNA). The Infection Prevention Society web site includes all information about the ICNA.
For information on the effectiveness of a ten second hot wash with soap in getting rid of bacteria see the University of North Carolina web site.
Clinical Waste Vehicles
To meet the responsibility of the health and welfare of the crew on these vehicles, solve the hand hygiene problem with a TEALwash TW12 or TW24. The HANDEMAN HM 12 and HM 24 are the best solutions where space is at a premium.
The Award Winning Hygienius HG230/3 illustrated.
