Final answer:
Proper handwashing involves wetting hands with running water, lathering soap covering all hand areas for at least 20 seconds, rinsing from wrist to fingertips, and drying hands thoroughly. Healthcare settings require an extended cleaning to forearms and elbows.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper handwashing techniques are crucial to maintaining good health and avoiding the spread of pathogens. For effective handwashing, follow these CDC recommendations:
Begin by wetting your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap, covering the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under nails for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water from the wrist to the fingertips.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or a hot air blower and use the towel to turn off the faucet and open doors if needed.
When washing hands and arms in a healthcare setting, extend the cleaning to the forearms and beyond the elbows, especially before surgical procedures.