When should healthcare workers perform hand hygiene?

Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact to prevent the spread of infections. This practice is crucial because it helps eliminate pathogens that may be present on the hands after touching potentially contaminated surfaces, equipment, or patients. By ensuring that hands are clean, healthcare workers significantly reduce the risk of transmitting infections to patients, especially those who are vulnerable and immunocompromised.

The requirement to perform hand hygiene both before and after patient interactions aligns with established guidelines and protocols in infection control, emphasizing that thorough handwashing or sanitizing is a fundamental practice to ensure patient safety and maintain a sterile environment. This practice applies across various scenarios in healthcare settings, reinforcing the importance of consistent and routine hand hygiene as a primary measure in controlling infections.