Hand hygiene is one of the most important and effective measures used to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings.
The basic principles of hand hygiene are as follows:
When hands are visibly soiled, it is essential to wash them with soap and clean, prepared water. Soap and water effectively remove germs that have accumulated on the hands. When hands are visibly clean, a quick alternative is a solution containing more than 70% alcohol, which almost completely destroys microorganisms and is easy to use in a clinical setting.
Hand hygiene is necessary in the following situations (five moments):
Before contact with the patient
Before starting an aseptic, “clean” procedure (for example, before starting an intravenous infusion)
After contact with body fluids (such as blood or urine)
After contact with the patient
After contact with the patient’s environment (e.g., bed, medical instruments)
Proper hand hygiene techniques include paying attention to the fingertips, the spaces between the fingers, and the areas under the nails. Both hand washing and hand sanitizing should be done strictly following the recommended procedures to ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.
Hand hygiene campaigns should be implemented in healthcare facilities. Hand washing facilities with soap and water and alcohol-based hand rub should be available in strategic locations (patient rooms, procedure rooms, and clinic entrances). Hand hygiene is not only a professional responsibility, but also a crucial factor in improving patient safety and the quality of medical care.