What is the importance of hand hygiene in IV therapy?

The significance of hand hygiene in intravenous (IV) therapy primarily revolves around its role in reducing the risk of infection. Proper hand hygiene practices, such as thorough handwashing or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, help eliminate pathogens from the healthcare provider's hands before they contact the patient or any equipment involved in the IV administration process.

By ensuring that hands are clean, healthcare providers significantly decrease the likelihood of transferring bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents to the patient or into the IV system itself. This is particularly critical since IV therapy involves direct access to the bloodstream, where infections can quickly lead to serious complications, including bloodstream infections and sepsis.

While promoting comfort for the patient, speeding up the administration of IV fluids, and maintaining equipment cleanliness are important considerations in IV therapy, they do not directly address the primary concern of infection control that is central to patient safety. Therefore, the emphasis on hand hygiene is essential to establish a safe clinical environment and protect patient health.