Hand hygiene – a simple act that can make a life-saving difference. Beyond medical miracles, a single proper hand wash at the right time can protect a premature baby, a vulnerable elderly patient, or a beloved family member.

May 5, 2025, is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World Hand Hygiene Day. FV’s doctors and staff actively support this annual event to raise awareness about the importance of clean hands.

This year, the WHO shares the message: “It might be gloves. It’s always hand hygiene.” Gloves can never replace clean hands. When proper hygiene is neglected, bacteria can still spread, affecting patients and healthcare workers.

At FV Hospital, hand hygiene is more than a mandatory protocol – it is a part of our care culture and professional ethics. It is a routine practice, driven by our shared commitment to the safety of patients and staff.

Therefore, the WHO recommends following the six-step hand hygiene technique at five key moments to ensure truly clean hands.

The six steps of handwashing include:

• Step 1: Wet your hands and apply soap or an alcohol-based disinfectant solution. Rub palms together.
• Step 2: Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
• Step 3: Rub the back of your right hand over your left palm, and vice versa.
• Step 4: Rub the backs of your fingers against opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
• Step 5: Rub around the right thumb with the left palm and vice versa
• Step 6: Rub the palm of your left hand with the fingers of the opposite hand, and vice versa. Rinse your hands with water, then dry thoroughly with a single-use towel.

Each movement should be repeated five times, with the entire process lasting at least one minute.

The five key moments for hand hygiene are:

• Before touching a patient
• Before a clean or aseptic procedure
• After exposure to body fluids
• After touching a patient
• After touching patient surroundings

World Hand Hygiene Day 2025 reminds all healthcare professionals to maintain this vital habit – a simple act with the power to protect millions of lives every day.

At FV, we choose to wash our hands every day, every hour, and every moment we come into contact with a patient. A clean hand is a powerful promise – a commitment for safety and trust, beginning with the smallest act.