Before which of the following actions should hands be washed?

Washing hands before touching a patient is crucial in maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of infections in medical settings. This practice is fundamental to patient care and safety because it minimizes the risk of transferring pathogens from the healthcare provider to the patient, which can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). It emphasizes the importance of aseptic technique in healthcare environments, particularly in radiology, where patients may have compromised health conditions.

While it is also important to wash hands before handling imaging equipment, entering clinical areas, or preparing medications, the direct contact with patients necessitates the highest level of attention to hand hygiene. Ensuring clean hands before any patient interaction is a core principle of infection control practices, underlining the responsibility of healthcare professionals to safeguard their patients' health.