NABH & Patient Safety
Hand Hygiene (WHO 5 Moments)
WHO 5 Moments for hand hygiene, correct handrub and handwash technique, and compliance monitoring.
- track
- NABH & Patient Safety
- format
- Self-paced
What this module covers
WHO 5 Moments for hand hygiene, correct handrub and handwash technique, and compliance monitoring.
This is a self-paced training module that maps to NABH Accreditation Standards - IPC chapter (WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene). It is delivered inside the MedNext app so clinicians and hospital staff can work through it between shifts, with no live sessions or fixed deadlines.
What it covers in detail
Hand Hygiene (WHO 5 Moments)
- The WHO 5 Moments: before touching a patient, before a clean or aseptic procedure, after body-fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.
- When to use alcohol-based handrub versus soap and water, including situations such as visible soiling or spore-forming organisms where handrub is not enough.
- The correct technique and duration for handrub and handwash so that all surfaces of the hands are covered.
- Barriers to compliance and how they are addressed, from glove misuse to workload.
- How hand-hygiene compliance is audited and fed back to teams.
Who should complete this, and why
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-associated infection, so it applies to every person who touches patients or their environment. NABH's infection-control standards, built on the WHO guidelines, expect all clinical staff to know the 5 Moments and to be part of compliance monitoring.
What you will be able to do after this module
On completion you should be able to
- Apply the WHO 5 Moments at the correct points in patient care.
- Choose handrub or handwash appropriately for the situation.
- Perform the full handrub and handwash technique for the recommended duration.
- Understand how compliance is measured and why feedback matters.
Frequently asked questions
When is soap and water needed instead of alcohol handrub?
When hands are visibly soiled, after using the toilet, and when caring for patients with spore-forming organisms such as Clostridioides difficile, where alcohol handrub is not reliably effective. In most other moments, alcohol-based handrub is preferred.
Do gloves replace hand hygiene?
No. Gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. Hands must be cleaned before donning and after removing gloves, and gloves must be changed between patients.
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Legally sound clinical documentation - entries, corrections, consent records, confidentiality and retention rules.
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Charter of patient rights - information, consent, privacy, grievance redressal and staff obligations in daily care.
Learn moreStart Hand Hygiene (WHO 5 Moments) in the MedNext app
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