Why is Hand Hygiene Important?
The importance of good hand hygiene in the prevention of healthcare-acquired infections in hospitals has been the subject of numerous articles and research papers. However, it is equally relevant in other environments such as care and residential homes. It is well known that the hands of patients, visitors and healthcare workers are a major factor in the spread of problems such as MRSA, viral gastroenteritis and CDAD.
The World Alliance for Patient Safety (part of the WHO), has set good hand hygiene as a major part of its first global challenge to tackle healthcare-acquired infections.
Hand Sanitizing Agents
Most hand hygiene agents are alcohol based, but there are problems associated with the use of these preparations:
Alcohol has little effect against Small Round Structured Viruses which are implicated in many outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis.
Alcohol does not kill bacterial spores such as those of Clostridium difficile, the causative agent of CDAD
The products are highly inflammable
Repeated use of alcohol based agents can lead to dryness and cracking of the skin
There have been incidences of patients and residents drinking the products because of their alcohol content
Detectable alcohol levels have been found in the bloodstream of healthcare workers after repeated use of the products