Tracer

Hand hygiene tracer: WHO 5 Moments, acute hospitals (England)

A hand hygiene tracer for acute hospitals in England, focusing on the WHO 5 Moments, to observe and record healthcare worker practices and environmental provisions.

Fill it in online - free, no account needed. 30 questions.

What it is for

This template helps you systematically observe hand hygiene practices in acute hospital environments.

The full question list

1. Observation Details

  1. Date and time of observation *
  2. Ward or department observed *
  3. Role of healthcare worker observed (e.g., Nurse, Doctor, HCA) *
  4. Patient identifier (e.g., room number, anonymised ID) *

2. Environment and Equipment

  1. Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is available at the point of care in every room checked. *
  2. Soap is available at all handwashing sinks. *
  3. Water is available at all handwashing sinks. *
  4. Paper towels are available at all handwashing sinks. *
  5. Handwashing sinks are visibly clean. *
  6. Handwashing sinks are free from obstructions. *
  7. ABHR dispensers are full. *
  8. ABHR dispensers are functional. *

3. Hand Hygiene Practice: Moment 1 (Before touching a patient)

  1. Healthcare worker performed hand hygiene before touching the patient. *
  2. Method used for hand hygiene (Moment 1). *
  3. Hand hygiene technique was performed correctly (e.g., sufficient duration, coverage). *

4. Hand Hygiene Practice: Moment 2 (Before a clean/aseptic procedure)

  1. Healthcare worker performed hand hygiene before a clean or aseptic procedure (e.g., wound dressing, medication preparation).
  2. Method used for hand hygiene (Moment 2).
  3. Hand hygiene technique was performed correctly (e.g., sufficient duration, coverage).

5. Hand Hygiene Practice: Moment 3 (After body fluid exposure risk)

  1. Healthcare worker performed hand hygiene after potential exposure to body fluids (e.g., handling urine bag, blood sample).
  2. Method used for hand hygiene (Moment 3).
  3. Hand hygiene technique was performed correctly (e.g., sufficient duration, coverage).

6. Hand Hygiene Practice: Moment 4 (After touching a patient)

  1. Healthcare worker performed hand hygiene after touching the patient. *
  2. Method used for hand hygiene (Moment 4). *
  3. Hand hygiene technique was performed correctly (e.g., sufficient duration, coverage). *

7. Hand Hygiene Practice: Moment 5 (After touching patient surroundings)

  1. Healthcare worker performed hand hygiene after touching objects or furniture in the patient's immediate surroundings. *
  2. Method used for hand hygiene (Moment 5). *
  3. Hand hygiene technique was performed correctly (e.g., sufficient duration, coverage). *

8. Sign-off

  1. Name of person completing this tracer *
  2. Date of completion *
  3. Signature *

References

How the score works

The score is the share of scored questions that pass. N/A is left out of the score; text, dates and signatures are recorded but not scored. A completed template is a record of what you checked; it is not an inspection by a regulator or an accreditation body.

Questions

What are the WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene?

The WHO 5 Moments are key instances when healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene: before touching a patient, before a clean/aseptic procedure, after body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings.

Why is a tracer method used for hand hygiene?

A tracer method allows for direct observation of practices in real-time, providing a practical assessment of adherence to hand hygiene protocols within the actual care environment.