Hand hygiene should be performed at 5 key moments: 1) before touching a patient, 2) after touching a patient, 3) before performing a procedure, 4) after a procedure, and 5) after touching a patient's surroundings. Proper hand hygiene protects patients from acquiring harmful germs, protects patients and healthcare workers from germs entering or spreading during care, and protects the healthcare environment from contamination.

1. Adapted from
HAND HYGIENE
5 Moments for
BEFORE
TOUCHING
A PATIENT
AFTER
TOUCHING
A PATIENT
BEFORE A
PROCEDURE
AFTER A PROCE
D
U
R
E
OR BODY FLUID
EXPOSURE RISK
AFTER
TOUCHING A
PATIENTíS
SURROUNDINGS
1
2
3
BEFORE TOUCHING
A PATIENT
4 AFTER TOUCHING
A PATIENT
5
AFTER TOUCHING
A PATIENT’S
SURROUNDINGS
BEFORE
A PROCEDURE
AFTER A PROCEDURE
OR BODY FLUID
EXPOSURE RISK
When:Clean your hands before touching a patient and their immediate surroundings.
Why: To protect the patient against acquiring harmful germs from the hands of the HCW.
When:Clean your hands immediately before a procedure.
Why: To protect the patient from harmful germs (including their own) from entering their body during a procedure.
When:Clean your hands immediately after a procedure or body fluid exposure risk.
Why: To protect the HCW and the healthcare surroundings from harmful patient germs.
When:Clean your hands after touching a patient and their immediate surroundings.
Why: To protect the HCW and the healthcare surroundings from harmful patient germs.
When:Clean your hands after touching any objects in a patient’s surroundings when the patient has not been touched.
Why: To protect the HCW and the healthcare surroundings from harmful patient germs.
www.hha.org.au