What is the first step in performing hand hygiene?

The correct procedure for performing hand hygiene starts with covering all surfaces of the hands with hand sanitizer, particularly when soap and water are not readily available. This step is essential as it ensures that the hand sanitizer, which should contain at least 60% alcohol, effectively kills germs present on the skin. Hand sanitizer should be applied generously and rubbed over all areas of the hands, including between fingers and under nails, until the product has dried completely.

Using hand sanitizer is particularly effective in situations where hands are not visibly soiled. It's important to note that using soap and water, while very effective when hands are dirty or greasy, is not the first step in this scenario, especially when a quick disinfection is needed. Simply rinsing hands with water or using soap without water does not effectively eliminate germs and may fail to provide the necessary level of cleanliness. Wiping hands on a towel would typically occur after washing hands to dry them but would not serve as a primary step in the hand hygiene process itself.