Moment 1: Before entrance into a patient zone or touching a patient

WHY:

• To protect the patient against acquiring potential pathogens from the hands of the HCW. 

WHEN: (examples not a complete list)

• Touching a patient in any way:  Shaking hands, assisting a patient to move, allied health interventions, touching any invasive medical device connected to the patient (e.g. IV pump).
• Any personal care activities:  Bathing, dressing, brushing hair, putting on personal aids such as glasses.
• Any non-invasive observations:  Taking vital signs, performing physical assessment, applying ECG electrodes.
• Any non-invasive treatment:  Applying an oxygen mask or nasal cannula, fitting slings/braces.
• Preparation and administration of oral and nebulized medications 
• Oral care and feeding:  Feeding a patient, brushing teeth or dentures.
• Contact with patient surroundings before, during and after any of the above:  Rails, bedside chair when occupied by patient, over bed table, linen, infusion pump and tubing, medical equipment.

TO PREVENT:  Cross contamination of patients

• HCWs may have any number of organisms on their hands.  If there is no hand hygiene prior to touching the patient these micro-organisms can be transferred to the patient.

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