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WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009.

Appendix 3Hand and skin self-assessment tool

Rate the current condition of the skin on your hands on a scale of 1–7
Appearance
Abnormal: red, blotchy, rash1234567Normal: no redness, blotching, or rash
Intactness
Many abrasions or fissures1234567Completely intact: no abrasions or fissures
Moisture content
Extremely dry1234567Normal amount of moisture
Sensation
Extreme itching, burning, or soreness1234567No itching, burning, or soreness

Sources: adapted from Larson E et al. Physiologic and microbiologic changes in skin related to frequent handwashing. Infection Control, 1986, 7:59–63 and Larson E et al. Prevalence and correlates of skin damage on the hands of nurses. Heart & Lung, 1997, 26:404–412.

Copyright © 2009, World Health Organization.

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Bookshelf ID: NBK144045
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