St.

Paul College of Ilocos Sur

(Member, St. Paul University System)
St. Paul Avenue, Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 2727
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

REACTION PAPER

In Partial Fulfilment

Of Requirements for the Subject

Foundations of Nursing Practice

Submitted to:

Ms. Rowena Quitoriano, RN., MSN

Instructor

Submitted by:

Charina Aubrey Riodil

January 2019
 St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur
(Member, St. Paul University System)
St. Paul Avenue, Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 2727
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

REACTION PAPER

In Partial Fulfilment

Of Requirements for the Subject

Foundations of Nursing Practice

Submitted to:

Ms. Rowena Quitoriano, RN., MSN

Instructor

Submitted by:

Jonajane Urro

January 2019
 St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur
(Member, St. Paul University System)
St. Paul Avenue, Bayubay Sur, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur 2727
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

REACTION PAPER

In Partial Fulfilment

Of Requirements for the Subject

Foundations of Nursing Practice

Submitted to:

Ms. Rowena Quitoriano, RN., MSN

Instructor

Submitted by:

Krysten Taylor Susa

January 2019
 One of the main causes of transmission of infection is contaminated hands. Routine hand

washing is one of the most effective measures used to prevent or control this transmission of

infectious diseases. Some of the most common diseases that can be spread through hand to hand

contact are infectious diarrhea, the flu, the common cold and also some intestinal disorders. This

can affect people who are more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as those with reduced

defences including the elderly or even very young children. Other consequences of not washing

the hands or improper washing of hands includes food related illnesses for example E.coli

infection or salmonella. These conditions can also lead to intestinal problems which can cause

vomiting and diarrhea. To ensure its effectiveness however, specific techniques needs to be

carried out.

According to the Department of Health, hand washing is the single most important

behaviour that can help prevent spread of infection. Clean hands save lives! When you do the

proper handwashing technique from DOH, always make sure that your hands are free from

wristwatch, ring, and bracelets. It has six steps of their hand washing technique. Step 1: Wet

hands and wrists. Apply soap or alcohol-based hand rub. Step 2: Right palm should be over left,

then left to right. Step 3: Wash hands palm-to-palm with fingers interlaced. Step 4: Rub back of

the fingers to the opposing fingers and interlock them. Step 5: Do rotational rubbing of the right

thumb by clasping it in the left palm, and vice versa. Step 6: Do rotational rubbing of backward

and forward with the tops of fingers and thumb of right hand in left, and vice versa.

According to Kozier & Erb’s, hand hygiene is important in every setting, including

hospitals. It is considered one of the most effective infection prevention measures. It is important

for both nurses and client hands to be cleansed at the following times to prevent the spread of

microorganisms: before eating, after using the bedpan or toilet, and after the hands have come
contact with any body substances, such as sputum or drainage from a wound. In addition, health

care workers should cleanse their hands before and after giving care of any kind, because hand

hygiene is performed frequently, it provides a good opportunity for the nurse to take a moment to

breathe and prepare for the next client encounter. This proper handwashing technique according

to this book has a similarity from Department of Health, because of removal of all jewelry and

the steps but this hand washing technique of this book has a rationale unlike the DOH it doesn’t

have, and it’s more complex than the DOH.

Hand washing is an important technique in removing or reducing the number of

microorganisms from the hands. This in turn will reduce the potential transmission of these

microorganisms directly to others or to surfaces where they can be picked up by others. Washing

of ones hands will also decreases the risk of transmission of infectious agents to self. The

practice of hand washing is no longer only a means of personal hygiene but an important

measure of infection control. The incidents of transmitting infectious disease can be minimized

by ensuring that hands are washed after using the restroom, before and after eating, when hands

are visibly dirty or contaminated, after contact with animals or other person’s intact skin, after

contact with body fluids, after contact with inanimate objects and the list is not redundant by any

means.

A major way to reduce the incidents of transmitting infections is to think of frequent hand

washing, not to be optional but as a rule. Secondly, always keep in mind that the use of gloves

does not eliminate the need to wash hands. To protect your health it is recommended you wash

your hands as often as necessary.