Hand hygiene in hospital settings is vital, especially in India, where high patient loads increase the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The World Health Organization’s (WHO) “5 Moments” framework, introduced in 2009, provides a structured and effective approach to reducing these risks.
The 5 Key Moments Explained
WHO identifies five critical moments where hand hygiene must be practiced:
1. Before touching a patient
Clean your hands before approaching a patient to prevent transferring germs from your hands.
2. Before clean/aseptic procedures
Use a hand rub or hand sanitiser immediately before procedures like IV insertions to prevent transmission of pathogens.
3. After body fluid exposure risk
Perform hand hygiene after exposure and post-glove removal to protect yourself and the environment.
4. After touching a patient
Decontaminate hands when leaving the patient to prevent the spread of infections.
5. After touching patient's surroundings
Clean hands after contact with surfaces like bed rails or equipment.
Practical Implementation Tips
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Install dispensers at the point-of-care for easy access to hand sanitiser
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Train staff using WHO posters illustrating the 5 Moments
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Conduct regular audits to maintain compliance and achieve up to 50% reduction in HAIs
Sterillium Fits Perfectly
RW’s Sterillium stands out as a gold-standard hand sanitiser and hand rub, formulated with 75% ethanol. It is effective against bacteria (including MRSA), fungi, and viruses like SARS-CoV-2.
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For hygienic use: Apply 3 ml and rub for 30 seconds up to the wrists
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For surgical use: Apply 9 ml for 1.5 minutes up to the elbows
It functions like a “chemical glove,” offering protection while maintaining skin health.
Overcrowding and humidity in Indian hospitals significantly increase infection risks. Adopting WHO guidelines with the right products can drastically reduce transmission. Using a hand sanitiser as a water-free hand rub is especially useful where sinks are limited, while liquid hand wash remains essential in appropriate situations. Its moisturising properties help prevent dermatitis caused by repeated hand wash or surgical hand scrub practices.
Additionally, when used for surgical hand preparation as a skin antiseptic for pre-op use, it supports high levels of microbial reduction without leaving a sticky residue. Sterillium is widely used in healthcare settings, supported by extensive scientific data, and complies with DIN EN 1500 standards, demonstrating rapid and broad-spectrum efficacy for hand hygiene in hospital environments.
Equipping healthcare settings with a reliable alcohol-based hand rub like Sterillium enhances patient safety and aligns with infection control practices under NABH guidelines.