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The theme of Breastfeeding Week 2023 is “Let's make breastfeeding and work work”.

Proper hand washing protects us from transmission of diseases. It is possible to do it the right way and save water at the same time.
A person uses up to 1.5 liters of drinking water in each hand washing., but it can be reduced to one-fifth of that.
More than 5 billion people could have difficulty accessing water by 2050.

Attention should be focused on the 5 key moments advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other situations associated with care of newborns*.
1. Before contact with the patient.
2. After contact with the patient.
3. Before invasive procedures.
4. After contact with secretions and body fluids.
5. Whenever preparing materials or equipment that are or have been in contact with patients and after contact with areas close to the patient.
* Whenever entering or leaving the hospital unit or isolation area.

Hand hygiene with alcohol or alcohol at 70% concentration with 2% glycerin can replace handwashing with water and soap when there is no visible dirt, especially in procedures at low risk for infection or in emergency situations.
In this procedure it is important to ensure the solution is rubbed on all surfaces of the hands, the fingers, and the spaces between the fingers, leaving the hands to dry spontaneously.

Hand hygiene is very important. There are key moments when hand washing is essential, especially when taking care of a baby.

Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and illnesses are spread by not washing hands with clean running water and soap.

Surgical hand antisepsis
I Rub the hands with water and antiseptic detergent solution, including all surfaces, spaces
between the fingers, and nails; also wash the forearms.
II Rinse with running water.
III Wipe with sterile compress.
Note: this procedure should take 3 to 5 minutes for the first surgery and 2 to 3 minutes for subsequent surgeries.

Simple handwashing (plain soap) or antiseptic handwashing (soap containing antiseptic)
I. Rub the hands with water and liquid soap or antiseptic detergent solution for approximately 15 seconds, including all the surfaces, spaces between the fingers, and nails. Also wash the forearms.
II. Rinse with running water.
III. Wipe with paper towel.

The hands constitute the main form of transmission of microorganisms during patient care. The skin is a possible reservoir for various microorganisms that can be transferred from one surface to another. The skin of the hands hosts two principal microorganism populations: those belonging to the resident microbiota and those belonging to transient microbiota. Transient microbiotas colonize the most superficial layer of the skin, which allows their mechanical removal by handwashing with water and soap, although they are eliminated more easily when an antiseptic solution is used.