Week 3 Activities – 9/9/09
Hello everyone! Here are the Week 2 Activities that the Fall 2009 class completed recently.
As you review these activities, watch closely for the changes we made to our essay through each step of the process.
THE CHALLENGE: Write a small paragraph or two pointing out at least one good thing from the final version of this essay, and at least one thing you think could be improved. Post this as a reply/comment on this page.
Step 1: Brainstorm
[Being a Teacher] Teaching someone else how to do something can be rewarding. Think of a skill that you’ve taught someone else how to do. Perhaps you taught someone else how to swim, showed someone how to bake a souffle, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Think about the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and narrate the story for your readers.
Things we’ve all shown another person how to do:
- Vital signs
- How to cook
- How to clean
- How to tie a shoe
- How to do laundry
- How to drive
- Washing hands
- How to skate
- How to put make-up on
- How to dress
- How to take care of an animal
- Potty training
- How to walk
- How to talk
- How to study
- Tube feeding
- Documentation
- Bed pan
- Basic care
- Pumps
Step 2: Select a Topic and Get Specific
We’ve selected teaching someone how to properly wash your hands.
For this assignment, instead of using the exact prompt above, let’s just write a how-to essay on proper hand-washing techniques for medical professionals.
We’re going to FOCUS on the THESIS STATEMENT strength and how we go about supporting it.
Step 3: Outline
- Introduction
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Thesis Statement ß YAY!!!
- Paragraph 1
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Conclusion
- P2
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Conclusion
- P3
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Conclusion
The Outline
- Introduction
-
- Introduction – Topic is hand-washing
- Argument 1 – Stop the spread of infection (Why we need proper technique)
- Argument 2 – Technique (How-to part)
- Argument 3 – Preventing recontamination (How-to and a bit of Argument 1)
- Thesis Statement ß YAY!!! (Why we need it to begin with)
- Paragraph 1
-
- Introduction – Stop the spread of infection using proper hand-washing techniques.
- Argument 1 – Eliminates microbes/pathogens from the person
i. Example: Nosocomial infection
-
- Argument 2 – You could pick something else up
i. Example: Touching surfaces
-
- Argument 3 – Legal Requirements for Hand-Washing
- Conclusion -
- Paragraph 2
-
- Introduction – Proper Technique (How-To Part)
- Argument 1 – Sanitizing Gel doesn’t meet minimum standards
i. Example: Time it takes – 15 seconds soaking wet minimum, lots of gel
-
- Argument 2 – Proper technique – Soap & water
i. Gloves don’t mean you don’t need to wash
-
- Argument 3 – Procedure for best scrub & getting under nails, arms, etc.
- Conclusion
- Paragraph 3
-
- Introduction – Preventing recontamination
- Argument 1 – Don’t touch surfaces that haven’t been sterilized after you wash
i. Example: Turn off tap with your hand instead of paper towel, grabbing lever for paper-towel dispenser, touching doorknobs, touching your chart/clipboard, touching your pen, your stethoscope, etc.
-
- Argument 2 – Argument 1 is enough to make 3-5 sentences, no need for further arguments.
- Argument 3 -
- Conclusion
- Conclusion
-
- Introduction
- Argument 1
- Argument 2
- Argument 3
- Conclusion
Step 4: Fill In The Outline
I recommend starting with your 3 body paragraphs. This will tell you what should be present in our conclusion. The conclusion can then be re-stated as an introduction.
- Introduction
-
- Pathogens can kill without proper hand-washing techniques.
- First we’ll discuss ways to prevent infection.
- Next, we’ll talk about how to properly wash your hands.
- Finally, we’ll consider methods to prevent re-contamination of clean hands.
- Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Paragraph 1
-
- We are going to show you why it is important to stop spread of infection through the use of proper hand-washing techniques.
- Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of your hands.
i. For example, the spread of infection from one patient to another, known as a nosocomial infection, can occur when proper technique is not used.
-
- Infection could further be spread by touching contaminated items.
i. For example, you could pick up a pathogen and pass it on to a patient or yourself, or if you have already touched an ill patient you could spread that pathogen to another person if they touch the same surface.
-
- The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections.
- Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
- Paragraph 2
-
- It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens.
- It takes time and effort to properly you’re your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead.
i. For sanitizing gel to kill pathogens, it must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds.
ii. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because they don’t leave it on long enough or use enough of it.
-
- Proper technique for hand-washing involves first turning on the water, then wetting the hands.
i. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds.
ii. Make sure to get in between the fingers and under the nails using friction.
iii. You may also want to wash up to your elbows.
iv. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s.
v. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel.
vi. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
-
- The use of gloves is not a substitute for soap and water, and gloves should be thrown away before washing your hands.
- There is never a substitute for washing hands with soap and water. This is always the best method.
- Paragraph 3
-
- Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process.
- For example, don’t touch surfaces that haven’t been sterilized after you have washed your hands.
- If you blow your nose, make sure you throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
- When exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open.
- Do not let your hands touch your clothing because you could still have pathogens on your clothing.
- Daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
- In conclusion, don’t only wash your hands but keep your belongings clean as well.
- Conclusion
-
- Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well.
- It is important to wash your hands to prevent the spread of infection.
- Proper technique should be followed to obtain the desired result.
- Preventing recontamination is crucial to fighting the spread of disease.
- In conclusion, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed in order to eliminate the spread of germs and diseases.
Step 5: Edit The Outline
- Introduction
- Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Proper techniques should be instilled in our minds in order to maintain safety guidelines.
- This will prevent cross-contamination, provided we do not touch a contaminated surface again.
- While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
- Demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques is important to minimize the spread of infection.
- Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of the hands.
- When proper technique is not used, pathogens remain on the hand and can be spread from patient to patient. This is known as a nosocomial infection.
- Infection could further be spread by touching items contaminated with a pathogen and then coming into contact with a patient.
- The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections.
- Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
- It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens.
- It takes time and effort to properly wash your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead.
- Paragraph 1
- Paragraph 2
i. For this method to be effective, the gel must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds.
ii. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because many don’t use it properly.
-
- Since gel is not effective used the majority of the time, hand-washing is still the best technique.
- Paragraph 3a
- Proper step-by-step technique for hand-washing is important.
- First, you must turn on the water, then wet the hands.
i. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds while ensuring you rub between the fingers and under the nails.
ii. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s.
iii. You may also want to wash up to your elbows if you have touched contaminated surfaces.
iv. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel.
v. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to prevent transferring pathogens back onto the hands.
- Paragraph 3
m. Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process.
- If you touch a surface that hasn’t been sanitized, you must re-wash your hands.
- For example, when exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open so that your hands remain clean.
- In addition, daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
- Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well.
- It is important to wash your hands, using proper techniques, to prevent the spread of infection.
- In addition, preventing recontamination is crucial.
- As we have shown, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed instead of using sanitizing gel in order to eliminate the spread of infection in a medical setting.
- Conclusion
Step 6: Make sure your arguments are supported.
Yes, they are! No changes this time.
- Introduction
- Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens.
- Proper techniques should be instilled in our minds in order to maintain safety guidelines.
w. This will prevent cross-contamination, provided we do not touch a contaminated surface again.
- While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
- Demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques is important to minimize the spread of infection.
- Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of the hands.
- When proper technique is not used, pathogens remain on the hand and can be spread from patient to patient. This is known as a nosocomial infection.
- Infection could further be spread by touching items contaminated with a pathogen and then coming into contact with a patient.
- The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections.
- Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
- It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens.
- It takes time and effort to properly wash your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead.
- Paragraph 1
- Paragraph 2
vi. For this method to be effective, the gel must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds.
vii. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because many don’t use it properly.
-
- Since gel is not effective used the majority of the time, hand-washing is still the best technique.
- Paragraph 3a
- Proper step-by-step technique for hand-washing is important.
- First, you must turn on the water, then wet the hands.
i. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds while ensuring you rub between the fingers and under the nails.
ii. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s.
iii. You may also want to wash up to your elbows if you have touched contaminated surfaces.
iv. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel.
v. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to prevent transferring pathogens back onto the hands.
- Paragraph 3
- Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process.
- If you touch a surface that hasn’t been sanitized, you must re-wash your hands.
- For example, when exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open so that your hands remain clean.
- In addition, daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
- Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well.
- It is important to wash your hands, using proper techniques, to prevent the spread of infection.
- In addition, preventing recontamination is crucial.
- As we have shown, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed instead of using sanitizing gel in order to eliminate the spread of infection in a medical setting.
- Conclusion
Step 7: Remove the Outline Formatting
Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens. Proper techniques should be instilled in our minds in order to maintain safety guidelines. This will prevent cross-contamination, provided we do not touch a contaminated surface again. While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
Demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques is important to minimize the spread of infection. Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of the hands. When proper technique is not used, pathogens remain on the hand and can be spread from patient to patient. This is known as a nosocomial infection. Infection could further be spread by touching items contaminated with a pathogen and then coming into contact with a patient. The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections. Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens. It takes time and effort to properly wash your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead. For this method to be effective, the gel must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because many don’t use it properly. Since gel is not effective used the majority of the time, hand-washing is still the best technique.
Proper step-by-step technique for hand-washing is important. First, you must turn on the water, then wet the hands. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds while ensuring you rub between the fingers and under the nails. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s. You may also want to wash up to your elbows if you have touched contaminated surfaces. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to prevent transferring pathogens back onto the hands.
Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process. If you touch a surface that hasn’t been sanitized, you must re-wash your hands. For example, when exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open so that your hands remain clean. In addition, daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well. It is important to wash your hands, using proper techniques, to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, preventing recontamination is crucial. As we have shown, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed instead of using sanitizing gel in order to eliminate the spread of infection in a medical setting.
Step 8: Proof-Read!
Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens. Proper techniques should be instilled in our minds in order to maintain safety guidelines. This will prevent cross-contamination, provided we do not touch a contaminated surface again. While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
Demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques is important to minimize the spread of infection. Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of the hands. When proper technique is not used, pathogens remain on the hand and can be spread from patient to patient. This is known as a nosocomial infection. Infection could further be spread by touching items contaminated with a pathogen and then coming into contact with a patient. The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections. Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens. It takes time and effort to properly wash your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead. For this method to be effective, the gel must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because many don’t use it properly. Since gel is not effectively used the majority of the time, hand-washing is still the best technique.
Proper step-by-step technique for hand-washing is important. First, you must turn on the water, then wet the hands. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds while ensuring you rub between the fingers and under the nails. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s. You may also want to wash up to your elbows if you have touched contaminated surfaces. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to prevent transferring pathogens back onto the hands.
Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process. If you touch a surface that hasn’t been sanitized, you must re-wash your hands. For example, when exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open so that your hands remain clean. In addition, daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well. It is important to wash your hands, using proper techniques, to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, preventing recontamination is crucial. As we have shown, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed instead of using sanitizing gel in order to eliminate the spread of infection in a medical setting.
Step 9: Title
Pathogens Kill When You Don’t Wash Your Hands
Studies have shown that with the proper hand-washing technique, we can effectively prevent the spread of pathogens. Proper techniques should be instilled in our minds in order to maintain safety guidelines. This will prevent cross-contamination, provided we do not touch a contaminated surface again. While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
Demonstrating proper hand-washing techniques is important to minimize the spread of infection. Through the use of soap and water, we will eliminate pathogens on the surface of the hands. When proper technique is not used, pathogens remain on the hand and can be spread from patient to patient. This is known as a nosocomial infection. Infection could further be spread by touching items contaminated with a pathogen and then coming into contact with a patient. The State requires that you wash your hands in between patients and procedures to prevent cross-contamination and nosocomial infections. Clearly, if the State uses resources to enforce hand-washing policies, it is an important component to preventing the spread of disease.
It is important that you follow proper technique for hand-washing to be effective at eliminating pathogens. It takes time and effort to properly wash your hands, so some healthcare professionals choose to use sanitizing gel instead. For this method to be effective, the gel must be left on soaking wet for a minimum of 15 to 30 seconds. This does not meet minimum standards of cleanliness because many don’t use it properly. Since gel is not effectively used the majority of the time, hand-washing is still the best technique.
Proper step-by-step technique for hand-washing is important. First, you must turn on the water, then wet the hands. Second, use soap to lather the hands, rubbing them together for approximately 30 seconds while ensuring you rub between the fingers and under the nails. You can time this by singing Happy Birthday or the ABC’s. You may also want to wash up to your elbows if you have touched contaminated surfaces. The third step is to rinse your hands, then thoroughly dry with a clean paper towel. Finally, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet to prevent transferring pathogens back onto the hands.
Preventing recontamination is very vital in the hand-washing process. If you touch a surface that hasn’t been sanitized, you must re-wash your hands. For example, when exiting a room, use a clean paper towel to open the door handle or use your back to push the door open so that your hands remain clean. In addition, daily equipment that is in use, including medical equipment, pens, clipboards, and other such items, should be sanitized or disposed of properly before hand-washing.
Clearly, hand washing is the most effective way to keep yourself and your patients well. It is important to wash your hands, using proper techniques, to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, preventing recontamination is crucial. As we have shown, proper hand-washing techniques should be followed instead of using sanitizing gel in order to eliminate the spread of infection in a medical setting.
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September 10th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I feel that the essay on proper hand washing was informative. The essay gave very specific details on why we should wash our hands in the medical professional. For example one of the most interesting facts that I didn’t know was about the hand sanitizer. That you have to leave it on your hands soaking wet for at least 15 to 30 seconds for it to be effective. One positive statement that i really paid close attention to was about recontamination after you have washed your hands and touching other surfaces. I think we could add something about school age children and day care workers learning the proper hand washing techniques, which could be one way on decreasing the spread of pathogens.
September 12th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
One thing I can improve about the spread of pathogens is to disinfect commonly touched surfaces through-out the workplace, such as desks, stair rails, and doorknobs, because cold and flu germs can live on inaminate objects for a period of time. With this in mind, employers should encourage workers to keep their fingers away from their nose and eyes and wash their hands after touching a surface that has been touched by someone with a cold or flu.
Clearly one thing is evident about handwashing it can prevent the spread of infection. Employees working together to fight germs in the workplace to protect themselves and the people around them will have a sense of job satisfaction and a positive feeling about their job.
September 15th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Re-posted for student:
# nursemom81 Says:
September 11th, 2009 at 10:24 pm edit
This essay in my opinion is clearly written. It’s presentation is adequate for the novice and the seasoned nurse. We as nursing health care professionals need to be reminded of the impact of the basic protocol. This truly should jar the minds of nurses everywhere to take the time to properly sanitize their hands; for themselves and their patients.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Good thoughts everyone! Remember when evaluating an essay like this that it is important to look at the prompt so that all writing stays on-topic.
It would be a good idea to discuss the need for hand-washing in schools and the need to disinfect surfaces both in schools and in the work place, but would those additions be on-topic with the thesis statement? We are specifically discussing medical settings and methods of disinfecting hands.
Reminder, our thesis: While there are several methods to disinfecting the hands in a medical setting, the best method is still hand-washing.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
nursemom81:
Good job! My only question is the supportive argument you have for your second paragraph – are the kids not learning any social skills on these sites, or just not learning the ones that apply to face-to-face interaction? Just something to think about!
Also, the 3rd paragraph about social skills from the beginning of time may be better as an introductory paragraph, followed by a thesis. It’s not a bad paragraph, it just seems a slight bit misplaced right there.