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Handwashing and Skin Physiologic and Bacteriologic Aspects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Elaine Larson
Elaine Larson*
Affiliation:
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
*
Room 429 NEB/S2, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Abstract

Handwashing practices are often based on tradition and belief. To develop sound rationale for handwashing practices, the physiologic and bacteriologic effects of handwashing must be examined. The purposes of this article are to review the three major microenvironments of the skin with their bacterial flora, to discuss physiologic and bacteriologic characteristics of the skin with particular reference to handwashing, and to describe current handwashing recommendations and practices.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , January 1985 , pp. 14 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1985 

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