Which action is NOT part of good hand hygiene?

Using hand lotion frequently is not considered part of good hand hygiene in the context of infection control and prevention. Good hand hygiene focuses on cleaning the hands to remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses, which is essential in clinical settings, especially for phlebotomy technicians who often work with blood and bodily fluids.

While moisturizing the hands with lotion can help prevent dryness, it does not contribute to the antimicrobial action needed to eliminate pathogens. In a healthcare setting, hand hygiene is typically accomplished through thorough washing with soap and water or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The other actions highlighted—washing hands after touching blood, hand washing after using the restroom, and washing hands before patient contact—are all critical practices that help to maintain cleanliness and minimize the risk of spreading infection to patients and healthcare workers alike. Therefore, while frequent use of hand lotion can be beneficial for skin health, it is not a practice focused on hygiene compliance in the way the other options are.