IPC Hand Hygiene Training Resource - Maternity Feb 22

Infection, prevention & Control:
5 Moments for Hand Hygiene

February 2022

“Don’t need to clean my hands as I’m
only doing fresh eyes”

• From the video we have highlighted all the touch points
where potential infection risks may occur.

• Remember as you go near the bedside you become
within 2 metres of patient so eye protection is indicated
in accordance with UHCW NHS guidelines.



ATP swabbing (Adenosine triphosphate
levels)

• This is a method of measuring from specialised swabs the
amount of the adenosine triphosphate enzyme (ATP)
found in all living cells.

• This so measures level of organic matter which can show
risk of microbial/infection transfer

Green <1000
Amber 1000 – 2000

Red over 2000

Remind yourself and
read the door signs





ATP score door 3,356

ATP score 2385

Goggles on your
head!

You are still
interacting within the

5 moments

ATP score 1421

You are still
interacting within the

5 moments

ATP score 6336

ATP score 1825

You are still
interacting within the

5 moments

ATP 2042



ATP score
3058

ATP score 2034





To summarise

• The absence of any hand hygiene whilst performing
“fresh eyes” is the misconception its not direct patient
care.

• In the 5 moments of hand hygiene, moments 1 and 5
exposed the midwife (and patient) to significant infection
risk.

• This is all living bacterial, viral, blood-borne or fungal
infections, not just covid!