Question about hand hygiene

[michiganstudent]

I'm watching my nursing skills DVD's that were assigned before I start class, and I've noticed that none of the nurses or students wash their hands - at all. They only use Purell.

Is this simply product placement? Do nurses wash their hands in a hospital/clinical setting? I know Purell is supposed to kill germs, but it surprises me a little that soap and water are never, ever used on these videos.

I come from a family with mild OCD about these types of things. Am I overreacting?

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

In actual nursing practice it is not realistic from a time perspective to wash your hands with soap and water every time hygiene is required.[/quote']

I work in a hospital and I wash my hands every single time. I never use hand sanitizer.

[jvanwoman]

Ugh! I am not a fan of sanitizer either. I would rather wash.

[VANurse2010]

Good for you, but it's not necessary nor is it evidence-based that it's better (excepting certain isolation situations).

I work in a hospital and I wash my hands every single time. I never use hand sanitizer.

[hodgieRN]

It literally impossible to only wash your hands according to guidelines. Hand sanitizer makes it more realistic. You are supposed to wash before and after just pushing a button on a pump. Even after you use gloves. If you don't use sanitizer, then you are either skating or washing 500 times a day.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

In school we are taught to Purell on the way into a room and wash on the way out.

[RubberDuckieLove]

Foam in, foam out. That is our motto. If the patient has a certain bacteria that can't be killed with hand sanitizer (the endospores, such as C diff) the the hand sanitizer is usually take down outside that room and you must wash your hands. I only was my hands if there are gross contaminants or before I leave the floor to eat lunch, take a break, or leave for the day.