Hand hygiene is a fundamental part of safe patient care. It plays a critical role in preventing the spread of infections and the contamination of the healthcare environment.
Effective hand hygiene removes or reduces microorganisms on hands and contributes to the prevention of healthcare-associated infection and improved patient safety.
Western Australia (WA) Health supports best practice in infection prevention through participation in the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI). This includes:
- ongoing education and training programs
- regular auditing of hand hygiene practices
- monitoring and reporting of performance.
WA hospitals have also improved access to hand hygiene products by ensuring alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is readily available at each patient bed space or at the foot of each bed.
When to perform hand hygiene
Hand hygiene can be performed by using alcohol-based rub or washing with soap and water.
Alcohol-based hand rub should be used for all clinical situations where hands are visibly clean.
Wash with soap and water:
- when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous material
- hands are visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids
- exposure to potential spore forming organisms is strongly suspected or proven
- after using the bathroom.
5 Moments for Hand Hygiene
The World Health Organization (WHO) 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene (external site) framework outlines the key times when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene to reduce the risk of infection transmission between the healthcare workers, the patient, and the environment.
The 5 moments are:
- Before touching a patient
- Before a procedure
- After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
- After touching a patient
- After touching a patient’s surroundings
Hand hygiene resources
Visit Healthy WA for hand hygiene information for consumers (Healthy WA).
More information
Infection Prevention Policy and Surveillance Unit
Email: handhygienewa@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 01-07-2026