Here’s how the five moments work:
Before touching a patient To prevent transferring germs from your hands to the patient – even if they look clean.
Before a clean or aseptic procedure Whether it’s inserting a catheter or dressing a wound, clean hands help keep procedures sterile.
After body fluid exposure risk If there’s a chance you’ve come into contact with blood, urine, vomit or other fluids – wash immediately.
After touching a patient Even if gloves were used, hand hygiene is essential to prevent carrying germs to the next person or surface.
After touching patient surroundings Bed rails, IV pumps, curtains – they might not look dirty, but they can harbour pathogens.
These moments are designed to be intuitive and easy to remember, helping staff build habits that reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). It’s not just about protecting patients – it’s about protecting everyone in the care environment.
At Glow 2 Show, we’re big believers in making hygiene visible. The five moments framework is brilliant, but it really comes to life when paired with visual tools that show contamination in real time. That’s where our UV kits come in – helping learners see what they’re missing and understand why timing matters just as much as technique.
Whether you’re training nurses, aged care staff, students or food handlers, the five moments can be adapted to suit different environments. It’s not just for hospitals – it’s a mindset shift that applies anywhere hygiene is critical.
