What are the five moments of hand hygiene?

What are the five moments of hand hygiene?

• A. All five moments of hand hygiene are: before touching patient; before clean/aseptic procedure; after body fluid exposure risk; after touching patient; after touching patient surroundings
• B. Before touching patient only
• C. After touching patient only
• D. Before and after touching patient

Answer: (A)

Hand hygiene is most effective when done at five key times during patient care. These moments are before touching a patient, to prevent introducing germs to them; before clean or aseptic procedures, to protect a sterile field; after body fluid exposure risk, to avoid spreading contaminants; after touching a patient, to remove organisms picked up during care; and after touching the patient surroundings, since objects in the environment can transfer microbes to your hands. Together, these five moments cover all the critical points where hands can pick up or deposit germs, making infection prevention stronger than focusing on just one moment.

Hand hygiene is most effective when done at five key times during patient care. These moments are before touching a patient, to prevent introducing germs to them; before clean or aseptic procedures, to protect a sterile field; after body fluid exposure risk, to avoid spreading contaminants; after touching a patient, to remove organisms picked up during care; and after touching the patient surroundings, since objects in the environment can transfer microbes to your hands. Together, these five moments cover all the critical points where hands can pick up or deposit germs, making infection prevention stronger than focusing on just one moment.