Which practice is NOT considered a component of the hand hygiene process?

• A. Washing hands with soap and water
• B. Performing surgical hand antisepsis
• C. Wearing gloves at all times during care
• D. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers

Answer: (C)

Hand hygiene focuses on reducing microbes on the hands through cleansing or antisepsis. Washing with soap and water physically removes dirt and organisms, while alcohol-based hand sanitizers quickly inactivate many pathogens on hands that are not visibly dirty. Surgical hand antisepsis is a more rigorous cleansing used before sterile procedures to lower microbial load on hands and forearms. Wearing gloves at all times during care is not a hand hygiene technique; it is personal protective equipment. Gloves protect the patient and caregiver but do not substitute for cleaning hands. Hands should be cleaned before putting gloves on and after removing them, because gloves can become contaminated and micro‑tears may occur. Therefore, wearing gloves at all times is not considered a hand hygiene component.