When moving from a dirty area to a clear area, what must staff complete?

Completing hand hygiene when moving from a dirty area to a clear area is crucial for maintaining infection control and ensuring patient safety. Hand hygiene involves washing hands thoroughly or using hand sanitizer to eliminate pathogens that may have been acquired in the dirty area. This practice helps to prevent the transfer of contaminants to a cleaner environment, which is particularly important in healthcare settings where the risk of infection can be significant.

Maintaining effective hand hygiene practices is a fundamental component of infection control protocols and is supported by guidelines from health authorities and organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By ensuring that hands are clean before entering a clean area, healthcare staff play a vital role in reducing the spread of infections, thus keeping patients and themselves safer.

While wearing a mask, changing lab coats, or notifying a supervisor may be relevant in certain contexts, the practice of hand hygiene specifically addresses the direct need to prevent contamination during the transition between these areas.