Final answer:
During surgical handwashing, the hands are kept above the elbows to ensure contaminants flow from the clean area (hands) to the less clean area (elbows). This technique, part of a thorough surgical scrub protocol, is designed to reduce skin microbiota and prevent infection in surgical patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
During surgical handwashing, the hands are kept above the elbows to ensure that water and any contaminating materials flow away from the cleanest area (the hands) to the less clean area (the elbows). The goal is to reduce the normal microbiota on the skin's surface to prevent the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds.
Following proper handwashing techniques is crucial for all health-care workers to prevent the spread of pathogens. The surgical scrub is more extensive than typical handwashing and involves:
- Wetting hands thoroughly with warm water, keeping hands below the forearms initially, then moving them above the elbows to allow water and contaminants to flow down away from the hands.
- Applying soap and engaging in a rigorous and thorough scrubbing routine, extending beyond simply washing and including all surfaces of the hands and forearms.
- Rinsing hands from the wrist to the fingertips, to ensure any dislodged microorganisms are washed off the skin effectively.
- Drying hands completely with a clean towel or air blower to avoid the risk of recontamination from a dirty towel or through moisture that can harbor pathogens.
By rigorously following these steps, health-care workers can significantly reduce the risk of contaminating a patient during surgical procedures.