Which statement about proper hand washing technique is NOT correct?

Which statement about proper hand washing technique is NOT correct?

• A. Keep hands and forearms lower than elbows
• B. Use paper towels to turn on water
• C. Avoid using hand lotions whenever possible
• D. Carefully wash all surfaces and between fingers

Answer: (A)

Positioning during hand washing is about using gravity to keep contamination from flowing back onto the hands. Keeping hands and forearms lower than the level of the elbows would allow wash water and any contaminants to run down toward the hands, increasing the chance of recontamination. The correct approach is to keep the hands and forearms above the level of the elbows so that water drains away from the hands toward the elbows. That’s why this statement isn’t correct. The other practices support effective hand hygiene: using paper towels to turn on the faucet prevents recontamination from faucet handles, avoiding lotions whenever possible helps maintain the effectiveness of the sanitizer and glove integrity, and thoroughly washing all surfaces and between fingers ensures no area is left unchecked.

Positioning during hand washing is about using gravity to keep contamination from flowing back onto the hands. Keeping hands and forearms lower than the level of the elbows would allow wash water and any contaminants to run down toward the hands, increasing the chance of recontamination. The correct approach is to keep the hands and forearms above the level of the elbows so that water drains away from the hands toward the elbows. That’s why this statement isn’t correct.

The other practices support effective hand hygiene: using paper towels to turn on the faucet prevents recontamination from faucet handles, avoiding lotions whenever possible helps maintain the effectiveness of the sanitizer and glove integrity, and thoroughly washing all surfaces and between fingers ensures no area is left unchecked.