Moments for hand hygiene and safety

Hand hygiene

is the single most effective way to prevent infection spread

there are 5 moments for exactly when to clean your hands

1.Before touching a patient

2.Before clean/aseptic procedure (e.g., catheter care, wound dressing)

3.After body fluid exposure risk (even with gloves on!)

4.After touching a patient

5.After touching patient's surroundings

bed, table, equipment

soap and water for C. diff

alcohol rub won't kill spores.

Apply standard precautions

w every patient

Clean gloves when

anticipating contact with body fluids, non-intact skin, or mucous membrane

Gown, mask, eye protection when

there’s a splash risk

Keep bedside tables

clutter free, clean, dry during aseptic procedures

clean shared equipment

between patients

Teach patients cough etiquette

cover mouth/nose, use tissues, dispose of them properly

Hand washing is the minimum

"the least you need to do" — and timing matters as much as technique. Clean hands before and after every patient contact

Walk through a patient care scenario mentally and pause

at each of the 5 moments — exam questions often ask when to perform hand hygiene, not just how.