Based on evidence gathered by scientists and researchers, the WHO, as part of the Clean Care is Safer Care initiative pillar, published 2009 the WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care in 2009. It is a 262 page reference document on all the issues surrounding the theme of hand hygiene in healthcare facilities.

The WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care brought a groundbreaking development to simplifying and revolutionizing hand hygiene to prevent nosocomial infections: the 5 Moments. In addition, the WHO Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy supplement the program and the efforts of every healthcare professional trying to reduce infections caused during care.