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Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...

Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps

To wash hands properly, follow these steps:

Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment

Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment

Handwashing is hand hygiene with plain or antimicrobial soap and water to physically remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. However, it may not kill all microorganisms. The handwashing procedure requires a hand wash basin, liquid soap, paper towels, a domestic waste bin, and disposable nail cleaner as optional equipment.
Hand wash basins in clinical areas should have faucets that can be turned on and off without using the hands; that is, they should be non-touch or lever-operated.

Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps

Handwashing II: Pre-procedure and Initial Procedure Steps

The pre-procedure steps of handwashing include removing jewelry and rolling up sleeves. However, many organizations allow staff to wear wedding rings.
The hand washing procedure itself includes the following steps. First, cover cuts, if any, on hands with a waterproof dressing. Cuts and abrasions can become contaminated with bacteria hindering the ability to clean the area thoroughly. In addition, repeated hand washing can worsen an injury. The nails must be short and clean, without nail paint...

Standard Precaution

Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are the minimum infection control safeguards used while caring for all patients, irrespective of their disease condition. They help prevent the spread of common infectious microorganisms to healthcare workers, patients, and visitors in all healthcare settings.
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

Published on: June 7, 2017

The World Health Organization hand hygiene observation method.

Hugo Sax¹, Benedetta Allegranzi, Marie-Noëlle Chraïti

¹Infection Control Program, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. hugo.sax@hcuge.ch

American Journal of Infection Control

|December 17, 2009

Summary

Monitoring health care worker hand hygiene is vital. The World Health Organization's "My five moments for hand hygiene" offers a standardized, adaptable method for accurate measurement and improvement.

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Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

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Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens

Published on: June 7, 2017

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

Area of Science:

Healthcare quality improvement
Infection prevention and control
Patient safety research

Background:

Hand hygiene adherence monitoring is crucial for healthcare infection control.
Variations in measurement methods hinder consistent evaluation of hand hygiene.
Standardized approaches are needed to implement global guidelines effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

To detail the World Health Organization's (WHO) hand hygiene observation method.
To promote universal adoption of a user-centered hand hygiene measurement strategy.
To facilitate the translation of WHO hand hygiene guidelines into practice.

Main Methods:

Description of the "My five moments for hand hygiene" concept.
Details on observer roles, training, validation, and data collection tools.
Discussion of sample size, analysis, reporting, and potential biases in observation.

Main Results:

The WHO hand hygiene observation method is evidence-based and user-centered.
The method has been validated globally for applicability across diverse healthcare settings.
The described method provides a framework for consistent hand hygiene adherence measurement.

Conclusions:

The WHO "My five moments for hand hygiene" observation method is a universally applicable tool.
Standardized monitoring enhances the effectiveness of hand hygiene promotion programs.
Consistent application of this method supports improved patient safety and reduced healthcare-associated infections.