Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CBIC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Maintaining hand hygiene is a critical practice in infection control and prevention. The use of soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer is the most effective method to eliminate pathogens from the hands. Soap and water help remove dirt, organic matter, and microorganisms through the physical action of washing, while alcohol-based hand sanitizers provide a rapid kill of most germs when soap and water are not available.

Regularly performing hand hygiene with these methods not only reduces the microbial load but also helps prevent the transmission of infections in healthcare settings and the community. This makes it foundational in any infection prevention strategy.

Other practices mentioned, while they may contribute to overall skin care or disinfection routines, do not replace or serve as primary methods for effective hand hygiene. For instance, using moisturizer can benefit skin integrity but does not substitute for proper cleaning techniques. Wearing gloves is important in certain situations to protect both the patient and healthcare worker but does not eliminate the need for hand hygiene before and after glove use. Similarly, using disinfecting wipes is not appropriate for hand hygiene as they are not formulated for skin use and can lead to chemical exposure or irritation.