How often should healthcare workers perform hand hygiene?

Prepare for the Safety/Infection Control Exam with our comprehensive practice test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Boost your confidence and get ready for your exam!

Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after handling potentially infectious materials because this practice is crucial to preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce the transmission of pathogens. By cleaning hands before interacting with a patient, healthcare workers minimize the risk of transferring germs to the patient. Likewise, performing hand hygiene after contact helps in removing any contaminants that might have been acquired from the patient or the environment.

This approach aligns with the guidelines established by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizing regular hand hygiene as a fundamental component of infection control. Following these practices significantly contributes to the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare personnel, reducing the likelihood of healthcare-associated infections.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy