The practice of washing or disinfecting the hands to remove pathogens and prevent their transmission, among the single most effective and least costly disease prevention measures available, credited to Ignaz Semmelweis earliest documented demonstration in a clinical setting and now a cornerstone of infection control worldwide.
Facts
Origin YearThe year Ignaz Semmelweis introduced mandatory chlorinated lime handwashing at the Vienna General Hospital maternity clinic. Practice ClassHygiene and sanitation, infection control 1 Classification
Practice ClassPreventive or Public Health Practice 1 Connections
Associated With
Both practices use chlorine compounds against infection: chlorinated lime in the hand washing reform of the 1840s maternity clinics, chlorine disinfection in modern water treatment.
Source Encyclopedia Britannica
Developed By
Source Encyclopedia Britannica
In Branch
Source United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Official Site
Sources
1. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Official Site
US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionProgram classification, entity description sentence
The practice of washing or disinfecting the hands to remove pathogens and prevent their transmission, among the single most effective and least costly disease prevention measures available.
- In Branch: Hygiene and Sanitation
View the Source 2. Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Ignaz Semmelweis
He then ordered students to wash their hands in a solution of chlorinated lime before each examination.
- Associated With: Water Chlorination, Water purification, water treatment
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