4 MOMENTS OF HAND HYGIENE

Image retrieved from: http://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/eRepository/4-moments-for-hand-hygiene-female-lg.pdf

Click on this link to see the WHO hand hygiene technique drawings for more information:

http://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/


1. Before initial client/ client environment contact

Examples:
  • Shaking hands, stroking an arm
  • Helping a resident to move around, get washed, giving a massage
  • Taking pulse, blood pressure, chest auscultation, abdominal palpation

2. Before aseptic procedures

Examples:
  • Oral/dental care, giving eye drops, secretion aspiration
  • Skin lesion care, wound dressing, subcutaneous injection
  • Catheter insertion, opening a vascular access system or a draining system
  • Preparation of medication, dressing sets

3. After body fluid exposure risk

Examples:
  • Oral/dental care, giving eye drops, secretion aspiration 
  • Skin lesion care, wound dressing, subcutaneous injection
  • Drawing and manipulating any fluid sample, opening a draining system, endotracheal tube insertion and removal
  • Clearing up urine, faeces, vomit, handling waste (bandages, napkin, incontinence pads), cleaning of contaminated and visibly soiled material or areas (bathroom, medical instruments)

4. After patient/ patient environment contact

Examples:
  • Shaking hands, stroking an arm
  • Helping a resident to move around, get washed, giving a massage
  • Taking pulse, blood pressure, chest auscultation, abdominal palpation
  • Changing bed linen • monitoring alarm
  • Holding a bed rail
  • Clearing the bedside table