Ohio Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

The recommended duration for washing hands vigorously with soap and water is 20-30 seconds. This length of time is essential for effectively removing dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the hands. Proper handwashing technique involves scrubbing all areas of the hands, including between the fingers, under the nails, and around the wrists, which takes a sufficient amount of time to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned adequately.

The duration of 10-15 seconds may not be sufficient to achieve thorough cleaning, as studies show that washing for at least 20 seconds significantly increases the effectiveness of the process in reducing the presence of pathogens. Washing for 5-10 seconds is inadequate and may not thoroughly remove contaminants, while 1 minute may be excessive, potentially leading to staff not adhering to good hand hygiene practices due to time constraints in high-paced environments. Therefore, the emphasis on washing for 20-30 seconds aligns with best practices for infection control and emphasizes the importance of diligence in hand hygiene in healthcare settings.