Which statement about hand hygiene in standard precautions is correct?

Which statement about hand hygiene in standard precautions is correct?

• A. Hand hygiene is performed only after gloves are removed.
• B. Hand hygiene should be performed before patient contact and after removing gloves.
• C. Hand hygiene is optional if gloves are worn.
• D. Hand hygiene is performed only if hands are visibly dirty.

Answer: (B)

Hand hygiene is essential in standard precautions to prevent spreading germs between you and patients. The best approach is to clean your hands before you touch a patient so you don’t transfer any microorganisms to them, and to clean them again after you remove gloves because hands can pick up contaminants during the glove removal process. Gloves help protect both you and the patient, but they are not a substitute for hand hygiene. You should perform hand hygiene even if gloves were worn and even if your hands don’t look dirty. Use an alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled, and wash with soap and water if they are visibly dirty or after potential exposure to spores.

Hand hygiene is essential in standard precautions to prevent spreading germs between you and patients. The best approach is to clean your hands before you touch a patient so you don’t transfer any microorganisms to them, and to clean them again after you remove gloves because hands can pick up contaminants during the glove removal process. Gloves help protect both you and the patient, but they are not a substitute for hand hygiene. You should perform hand hygiene even if gloves were worn and even if your hands don’t look dirty. Use an alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled, and wash with soap and water if they are visibly dirty or after potential exposure to spores.