How does FGI address hand hygiene station placement?
FGI requires a handwashing station in the patient room — in addition to the sink in the toilet room — a requirement in place since the 2001 edition. The intent is positional: the station goes near the room entrance so healthcare personnel have unobstructed access on the way in, making hand hygiene the path of least resistance. The 2022 Guidelines further specify sink size, depth, and proximity to patient care areas and entrances, alongside accessible alcohol-based hand rub dispensers throughout the facility.
The placement logic
- At the entrance, not the back wall. Staff should pass the sink entering the room — visible placement also lets patients see hand hygiene happen, which research links to better compliance.
- Unobstructed access. No equipment, furniture, or casework blocking the approach. A sink behind the door swing might as well not exist.
- Separate from the toilet room sink. The toilet room fixture serves a different purpose; FGI wants a dedicated clinical handwashing station in the room itself.
- ABHR as complement, not substitute. Alcohol-based hand rub dispensers go at entries and throughout — but they supplement the sink, they don’t replace the FGI sink requirement.
Exam and treatment rooms
Outpatient exam rooms must contain a handwashing station as part of the room’s required contents. Procedure and treatment rooms carry the same expectation, scaled to the room’s function. When in doubt, the question is: can the clinician clean their hands without leaving the care zone?
2026 developments
The 2026 FGI Code’s expanded Common Elements include handwashing station provisions tied to the new individuals-of-size requirements (accessible placement, clearances), continuing the trajectory of treating hand hygiene infrastructure as a core design element rather than an afterthought.
The best sink is the one staff actually pass.
See the infection control guide and the FGI 2026 compliance guide.
FAQ
Does FGI require a sink in every patient room?
Yes — a handwashing station in the patient room, in addition to the toilet room sink, required since the 2001 edition.
Where should the handwashing station be located?
Near the room entrance with unobstructed access — positioned so staff pass it entering, and patients can see hand hygiene performed.
Can hand sanitizer dispensers replace the sink?
No. ABHR dispensers are expected throughout the facility as a complement, but they don’t satisfy the FGI handwashing station requirement.