BACKGROUND Alcohol-based hand antiseptics are often tested using 3 or 5 mL per application, but smaller volumes are likely to be applied in clinical practice. For that reason, we investigated the efficacy of 2 different volumes of 4 marketed hand rubs when applied to contaminated hands. METHODS Hands of 16 volunteers were contaminated with Serratia marcescens. Hand rub A (85% ethanol), hand r...

conclusions the findings indicate that hand hygiene should be included in the formal curriculum, continuous education and supervision are necessary to ensure compliance. objectives the current study aimed to assess the knowledge and the attitudes of the hcps regarding hh. materials and methods questionnaires were distributed to hcps in two university affiliated hospitals. after completion, memb...

BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for hand hygiene state that the use of alcohol-based hand wipes is not an effective substitute for the use of an alcohol-based hand rub or handwashing with an antimicrobial soap and water. The objective of this study was to determine whether a hand wipe with higher ethanol content (65.9%) is as effective as an ethanol hand r...

This study assessed the inhaled dose of alcohol during hand disinfection. Experiments were conducted with two types of hand rub using two hand disinfection procedures. Air samples were collected every 10 s from the breathing zone, by bubbling through a mixture of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and H(2)SO(4). The reduction of dichromate ions in the presence of alcohols was followed by UV-vis spectrophotometry. T...

The recently published guideline for the use of alcohol hand antisepsis states that "If hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand rub for routinely decontaminating hands (IA). Alternatively, wash hands with an antimicrobial soap . . . (IB)." Systematic disinfection before entering and leaving a patient's room complies with this guideline and, as recommended, might be a good educat...

With the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline on hand hygiene, hospitals often introduce alcohol-based hand rubs for hand disinfection. Healthcare workers, however, may reject the new products because of skin irritation or other skin-related problems, which they experience after years of handwashing. In order to facilitate a successful introduction and continued use of...

minders remains a major challenge to individualized feedback strategies. More intensive efforts, beyond poster campaigns, may be necessary to encourage patients to remind HCWs. Prior patient feedback strategies used one-on-one patient information sessions; however, inpatient turnover imposes continual resource demands on that approach. Clinical leaders are needed to openly invite their teams to...