Which of the following actions constitutes a best practice for hand hygiene?

The best practice for hand hygiene is changing gloves frequently. This action is critical in preventing the transmission of pathogens in a healthcare setting. Frequent glove changes reduce the risk of cross-contamination between patients and between different areas of a healthcare facility. It is important to replace gloves after providing care to one patient before moving on to another, especially if there is a potential for exposure to bodily fluids.

Each of the other actions does not align with optimal hand hygiene practices. Utilizing gloves as a substitute for hand washing is problematic because gloves can become contaminated, and hand washing is still essential for reducing the microbial load on the hands. Washing hands only at the end of shifts is insufficient, as it does not account for the multiple opportunities for contamination that can occur throughout the day. Applying hand lotion before using gloves may not be advisable, as it can affect the integrity of the gloves and potentially lead to a compromised barrier against pathogens. Therefore, routinely changing gloves is an integral part of maintaining effective hand hygiene in healthcare environments.