What is an essential practice before wearing sterile gloves during invasive procedures?

Washing and disinfecting hands is critical before wearing sterile gloves during invasive procedures to ensure that any potential pathogens are removed from the skin. This practice significantly reduces the risk of contamination, protecting both the healthcare provider and the patient from infections.

The process of hand hygiene involves washing with soap and water or using an appropriate disinfectant, which helps eliminate bacteria and viruses that may be present on the hands. Ensuring clean hands before gloving is a fundamental step in maintaining aseptic technique during medical procedures. This practice is in line with infection control guidelines that emphasize hand cleanliness as a crucial part of preventing healthcare-associated infections.

Using hand sanitizer alone may not be sufficient in all situations, especially when hands are visibly soiled. Additionally, shaking hands with others and applying lotion, while potentially part of social interaction or skin care, do not contribute to infection control in clinical settings and can introduce contaminants rather than removing them.