NERS NEWS — Nursing Profession Education Program students of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, from Group 5 conducted a Hospital Health Education (PKRS) activity on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the IRNA 4A Graha Trimed ward. The activity addressed the topic “The Importance of Handwashing” and was intended for patients in the IRNA 4A Graha Trimed ward. The activity was conducted as part of health education to increase participants’ understanding of the importance of maintaining hand hygiene.
This PKRS activity aimed to help participants know and understand the importance of handwashing, including its definition, purposes and benefits, the appropriate times to wash hands, who needs to wash their hands, the appropriate places to wash hands, and the correct steps for handwashing. The education was delivered using PowerPoint and leaflet media through lectures and a question-and-answer (brainstorming) method.
In this activity, the education team explained handwashing as the act of cleaning hands using soap and running water to remove dirt and microorganisms that can cause infection. Participants were also educated about the purposes and benefits of handwashing, including reducing the risk of spreading disease-causing microorganisms and preventing the transfer of germs from the hands to the mouth, nose, eyes, food, or other surfaces.
The material then continued with an explanation of the appropriate times to wash hands, including before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after touching dirty objects or surfaces, before and after touching or caring for wounds, before and after performing self-care activities, and after having contact with someone who is sick.
The education team also explained the 6 steps of handwashing, namely rubbing both palms together, rubbing the backs of the hands, rubbing between the fingers, rubbing the backs of the fingers, rubbing the thumbs, and rubbing the fingertips and nails. After completing all the steps, the hands are rinsed with running water until clean and dried using tissue or a clean towel.
In addition, participants were given an understanding of the choice of handwashing methods. The use of soap and running water is recommended when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, after using the toilet, after contact with body fluids, and before preparing food. Meanwhile, hand sanitizer can be used when hands are not visibly dirty and soap and running water are not available.
The education activity continued with a question-and-answer session to evaluate participants’ understanding of the material that had been provided. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and answer questions from the education team. The activity proceeded in an orderly manner, and participants were expected to be able to explain again the definition, benefits, appropriate times, and correct steps for handwashing.
The PKRS activity took place well and smoothly. Through this education, participants are expected to increase their awareness of the importance of hand hygiene and practice proper handwashing habits as one of the efforts to prevent the spread of infection, both while in the hospital and in everyday life.
This PKRS activity is also in line with the goal of improving clean and healthy living behaviors through the practice of hand hygiene as one of the simple measures to prevent the spread of diseases and infections.
The PKRS activity was conducted by Nursing Profession Education Practice students of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, and accompanied by Clinical CI, Devi Rahma S., S.Kep., Ns., and Academic CI, Herdina Mariyati, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Ph.D.
Writer: Jihan Nadira Wardhani
