Hand hygiene is a fundamental aspect of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene both before and after contact with patients, as well as after touching their surroundings. This practice significantly reduces the risk of transmitting infections.
Before contact with patients, hand hygiene helps eliminate any pathogens that may be on the healthcare worker's hands, creating a safer environment for the patient. After contact, it prevents the spread of any microorganisms collected during the interaction, both to the healthcare worker and to other patients or surfaces.
Performing hand hygiene only when visibly soiled is insufficient because many pathogens can be present without visible dirt, and relying solely on visual cues can lead to lapses in infection control. Therefore, comprehensive hand hygiene practices should encompass before and after patient interactions, as indicated by the selected answer, making it clear that maintaining cleanliness at all times is essential for patient safety and infection prevention.