What is the recommended duration for the hand washing step scrub during proper technique?

• A. 10 to 15 seconds.
• B. 5 seconds.
• C. 1 minute.
• D. 30 seconds.

Answer: (A)

In proper hand hygiene, the scrub step is timed to be thorough yet efficient, ensuring all surfaces are cleaned with sufficient friction. The recommended duration is 10 to 15 seconds because this amount of time allows you to cover the palms, backs, between the fingers, under the nails, and the wrists with enough friction to remove transient microbes without wasting time. A shorter duration, like 5 seconds, may not reach all areas and miss spots. Longer durations, such as 30 seconds or a full minute, go beyond routine practice for non-surgical handwashing and aren’t typically necessary for effective cleaning in everyday clinical settings.