What is the recommended practice before restraining patients?

Washing hands thoroughly before restraining patients is crucial for maintaining hygiene and preventing the transmission of infections. This practice is particularly important in veterinary settings, where staff may come into contact with various animals, some of which may carry pathogens that can affect both humans and other animals. By ensuring that hands are clean, veterinary assistants help minimize the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases and maintain a safer environment for both the staff and the patients.

While wearing gloves can be beneficial in certain circumstances, it is not a substitute for proper hand hygiene and is often recommended as an additional measure after handwashing based on the type of interaction with the animal. Restraint collars and masks may serve specific purposes but do not address the fundamental need for cleanliness prior to handling a patient. Therefore, thorough handwashing emerges as the most critical step in the process of preparing to restrain an animal safely and effectively.