Final answer:
Acupuncturists with visibly dirty hands should use soap and water to wash their hands, ensuring they scrub all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds and dry them thoroughly after rinsing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acupuncturists with visibly dirty hands should wash their hands with soap and water. The process involves wetting hands with clean, running water, turning off the tap, and then applying soap. It is important to lather well, scrubbing all parts of the hands including the backs, between the fingers, and under the nails for at least 20 seconds. A thorough rinse from wrist to fingertips follows to ensure contaminants are washed away, not up the arms. Finally, hands should be dried completely with a clean towel or air dryer and towels should be used to turn off the faucet and open doors to maintain cleanliness.
For health-care workers and acupuncturists, proper handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. It should be performed thoroughly between every patient contact, after the removal of gloves, and before assisting with invasive procedures. While alcohol hand sanitizer can be used in some cases, visibly soiled hands must be cleaned with soap and water to effectively remove all dirt and potential pathogens.