True or False: You do not need to wash your hands if you plan to wear gloves for a procedure.

Hand hygiene is a critical component of infection control practices in healthcare settings. Even when gloves are worn, washing hands is still necessary because gloves can have microtears or may not provide a complete barrier against pathogens. Before donning gloves, performing hand hygiene significantly reduces the risk of contaminating the gloves and ensures a clean surface for any subsequent procedures.

Furthermore, if gloves are not changed between tasks or patients, pathogens can be transferred. Washing hands before wearing gloves removes any existing microorganisms, decreasing the risk of transmission during a procedure. Therefore, the statement that hands do not need to be washed if gloves are to be worn is false. Hand hygiene should always be a primary consideration, regardless of glove usage.