Before performing any medical procedure, what is the first action to take?

Washing your hands is considered the first action to take before performing any medical procedure due to its critical role in infection control and patient safety. Hand hygiene significantly reduces the transmission of pathogens and is a fundamental practice in healthcare settings. By thoroughly washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, healthcare providers can prevent the spread of germs that may cause infections to patients or to themselves.

This step is essential in creating a safe environment and is a key element of standard precautions as recommended by various health organizations. It sets a hygiene standard that should be followed before any interaction with patients or during any medical procedure.

While confirming the patient's identity, checking the medication chart, and wearing gloves are also important steps that contribute to patient safety and protocol compliance, they follow hand hygiene in the sequence of procedures. Ensuring that hands are clean before engaging in any direct care helps protect both the healthcare worker and the patient effectively.