To ensure effective hand washing, nurses should follow these steps:
Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Rub hands together to create a lather and scrub all surfaces, including the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails. Scrub for at least 20 seconds. A good measure is to hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice. Rinse hands well under clean, running water. Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
