Hand Hygiene at the Draw Station
Alcohol-based hand rub is the default when hands look clean; use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled or after C. difficile or norovirus patients.
When (around every draw)
- Before touching the patient.
- Before the clean or aseptic step: site cleansing and puncture.
- After any risk of contact with blood or body fluids.
- After touching the patient.
- After touching the patient's surroundings (bed, chair, bedside table).
- Immediately after removing gloves; gloves never replace hand hygiene.
The five moments as listed in the SHEA/IDSA/APIC 2022 update (based on WHO). OSHA also requires washing hands immediately or as soon as feasible after removing gloves or other PPE.
Preview only. The full sheet also covers: Which method; Handwash steps (WHO poster); Skin care and nails.
Sources
- Glowicz JB, et al. SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: Strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene: 2022 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2023;44:355-376 (PMC10015275) · Cambridge University Press / PubMed Central
- How to Handrub? (poster, May 2009) · World Health Organization
- How to Handwash? (poster, May 2009) · World Health Organization
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L, HICPAC. 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Health Care Settings. Am J Infect Control 2007;35(10 Suppl 2):S65-S164 (PMC7119119) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / HICPAC (PubMed Central copy)
Free Safety and Compliance practice questions
- Question 1A coworker tells a phlebotomist that adding a splash of ammonia-based glass cleaner to diluted bleach makes a stronger wipe for the draw chairs. How…
- Question 2Which abbreviations may a phlebotomist use when documenting in the patient record?
- Question 3A phlebotomist printing labels on a computer-on-wheels in a patient's room is paged to the emergency department. The patient's electronic record is…