What is the purpose of the 5th moment of hand hygiene?

The fifth moment of hand hygiene is aimed at ensuring that healthcare providers perform hand hygiene after contact with the patient’s surroundings. This is crucial because the areas around a patient, such as bedrails, tables, and equipment, can harbor pathogens. Even if a healthcare worker has sanitized their hands before interacting with a patient, bacteria can still be transferred during the care process from these environmental surfaces back to their hands.

By emphasizing the importance of sanitizing hands after contact with the patient surroundings, it helps to break the chain of infection. This moment is integral to infection prevention protocols and supports patient safety by minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.

Hand hygiene at this stage is particularly vital in a healthcare setting where infection control is paramount, as many infections can originate from touching surfaces that have not been adequately cleaned or sanitized. This focus helps maintain a safer environment for both patients and healthcare providers.