How often should healthcare providers wash their hands to prevent infection?

Hand hygiene is a fundamental practice in healthcare settings to prevent the transmission of infections. The correct approach emphasizes washing hands before and after any patient contact and after handling potentially contaminated materials, as this helps reduce the risk of spreading pathogens.

Regular handwashing is crucial because pathogens can be transferred from one patient to another or from surfaces to patients. By washing hands at the specified times, healthcare providers effectively minimize the chances of cross-contamination and protect both themselves and their patients from infections.

Other suggested frequencies, such as washing hands only once a day or every hour on the hour, do not align with established infection control protocols, which prioritize timely and context-appropriate hand hygiene. Although washing hands only when visibly soiled may seem practical, it overlooks the fact that many pathogens are not always visible, making it inadequate for comprehensive infection prevention.