5 touchpoints to proper hand hygiene
Before touching a patient: Clean your hands to protect the patient from harmful germs that may be on your hands.
Before a clean or aseptic procedure: Hand hygiene is essential before performing procedures, like inserting catheters or preparing injections, to prevent introducing pathogens into sterile areas.
After body fluid exposure risk: Wash or rub your hands after contact with blood, secretions or other bodily fluids to protect yourself and prevent cross-contamination.
After touching a patient: Clean your hands after patient contact to remove any germs acquired during care.
After touching patient surroundings: Even without direct patient contact, surfaces around the patient can harbor pathogens, so hand hygiene is necessary after touching the environment.