Final answer:
The CDC recommends that medical assistants should spend at least 20 seconds scrubbing hands with soap and water during hand hygiene to effectively reduce microorganisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a medical assistant should scrub their hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds when performing hand hygiene. This extended scrubbing time is important to reduce the number of microorganisms on the skin and prevent the spread of infection. The CDC outlines a five-step handwashing process for the general public, which health care workers should especially adhere to, washing hands thoroughly between every patient contact, after glove removal, after exposure to bodily fluids and potentially infectious materials, and before and after invasive procedures.
Carefully scrubbing commonly missed areas, including thumbs, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails, is emphasized. In some instances, such as surgery, the scrubbing process is even more extensive.