An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands to reduce the number of microorganisms on the hands. In the United States, such preparations usually contain 60 percent to 95 percent ethanol or isopropanol.

Applying an antiseptic hand rub product to all surfaces of the hands to reduce the number of microorganisms present.

Hands showing visible dirt or visibly contaminated with proteinaceous body substances (e.g., blood, fecal material, urine).

Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to the skin to reduce the number of microbial flora. Examples include alcohols, chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodophors, chloroxylenol (PCMX), quaternary ammonium compounds, and triclosan.

A serious infection that occurs when bacteria from an infected site on the body invade the bloodstream. If bacteria continue to multiply without being stopped by antibiotics or the patient's immune system, there is a high risk of septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition.

Centers for Disease Control

When a patient gets a bloodstream infection after having a central line put in (or, in the case of a newborn, an umbilical catheter is also a central line) and the bloodstream infection is not related to an infection in another part of the body it’s considered a CLABSI. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated [..]

An electronic system that monitors hand hygiene replacing direct observation by a secret shopper.

A general term that applies to handwashing, antiseptic handwash, antiseptic hand rub, or surgical hand antisepsis.

Moments are based on those defined by the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene. A Moment is when there is a perceived or actual risk of pathogen transmission from one surface to another via the hands. HCWs’ hands will come in contact with many different types of surfaces while undertaking a succession of tasks. The 5 Moments for HH are: Moment 1: Before [..]