What is the primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare settings?

The primary purpose of hand hygiene in healthcare settings is to prevent the spread of infections. Hand hygiene is a critical practice that involves cleaning hands thoroughly to remove dirt, germs, and pathogens. This action significantly reduces the transmission of infectious agents from one person to another, especially in environments where vulnerable populations, such as patients with compromised immune systems, are present.

Effective hand hygiene can dramatically lower the incidence of healthcare-associated infections, which are a major concern within medical facilities. Proper techniques include washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, both of which are effective at killing a wide range of microorganisms.

While making a good impression on patients and complying with hospital policy are important aspects of healthcare, they are secondary to the fundamental goal of maintaining patient safety through infection control. Reducing the need for gloves can be a consideration, but it is not the core purpose of hand hygiene; hands should still be cleaned regularly even when wearing gloves to ensure maximum protection against infection transmission.