Hand washing technique: point fingers up or down?

[cmw6v8]

I had my first nursing class today, basically an intro to nursing (an intersession summer class before my full-time curriculum begins next month). My instructor demonstrated hand washing for us, and she told us that we want to have our fingers pointed up to prevent becoming contaminated by stuff further down the arm.

But my textbook, along with several videos I've found online, say to point your fingers downward to prevent re-contamination. I trust my instructor but I was just wondering which way you all have learned and why. Thoughts? Thanks!

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I am a surgical tech and in the operating room hands are pointed up but in nursing school I am told to point hands down

In the OR this makes sense because anything below the waste is considered not sterile, but from a regular nursing perspective, point the hands down. I guess it just depends where you are.

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

Your gown is sterile axillary line to the height or your field, not your waist.

There are two types: hand washing, and aseptic surgical scrubbing. I remember learning the difference in school but I can't remember. Love my Avagard, and can't get out of the habit of washing my hands finger tips up.

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf

This is some great information.

Surgical hand antisepsis. Antiseptic handwash or antiseptic

hand rub performed preoperatively by surgical personnel to

eliminate transient and reduce resident hand flora. Antiseptic

detergent preparations often have persistent antimicrobial

activity.

Antiseptic handwash or HCW handwash. An antisepticcontaining

preparation designed for frequent use; it

reduces the number of microorganisms on intact skin to

an initial baseline level after adequate washing, rinsing,

and drying; it is broad-spectrum, fast-acting, and if possible,

persistent.