Health and Wellness Atlas

How The Body Thrives
Practices

Hand Hygiene

Also Known As Handwashing
Hygiene Practice

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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 Year
1847 1
The year Ignaz Semmelweis introduced mandatory chlorinated lime handwashing at the Vienna General Hospital maternity clinic.
Practice Class
Hygiene and sanitation, infection control 2
Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Water Chlorination, Practices

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.

Developed By

In Branch

Sources
1. Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Ignaz Semmelweis
Quote, Ignaz Semmelweis
He then ordered students to wash their hands in a solution of chlorinated lime before each examination.
View the Source
1. Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Developed By: Ignaz SemmelweisView the Source
1. Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.Associated With: Water Chlorination, Water purification, water treatmentView the Source
2. United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Official Site
US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionView the Source
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