The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Asking the right questions in hand hygiene

During the pandemic, increased demand for alcohol-based hand rub led to some questionable solutions entering the market. So, what questions should healthcare providers ask suppliers to ensure that their product is suitable and effective for hospital use? Thomas Oh, Mandy Michie, Pearleen Ho and Lars Passvogel provide an insight.

One of the pivotal tools to facilitate good hand hygiene is alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). The importance of ABHR became apparent when the world experienced a global stock-out situation, driven by high demand during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the supply of ABHR has normalised. However, the increased supply of ABHR raised concerning issues around the risk of some unsuitable products that were found to be contaminated with methanol, insufficient alcohol content and false antimicrobial claims.1-3 The quality of the ABHR, especially for hospital usage, is something that should not be compromised.

This article aims to address this gap in knowledge, by discussing the type of testing that a credible ABHR should undergo to determine its antimicrobial efficacy – this includes in vitro tests against bacteria, yeast, viruses, and the practical tests on the hands of human volunteers. By the end of the article, the reader should have a greater appreciation of the testing that an ABHR should have and, hopefully, that information will facilitate the correct selection of the right product for their hand hygiene endeavor in the respective hospitals. 

EN system overview

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Continence Care and Tissue Viability Conference

Grand Station Wolverhampton
21 June 2023

Hygiene and sustainability in endoscopy: finding the balance

Online Event
Thursday 22nd June 2023

EBME Expo 2023

Judds Lane, Coventry, England, GB, CV6 6
28th - 29th June 2023

AfPP Annual Conference 2023

University of York
10- 13 August 2023

MEDICA - Leading International Trade Fair

Schadowstraße 49, 40212 Düsseldorf, Germany
13- 16 November 2023

Future Surgery

Excel Centre London
14 - 15 November 2023

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Continence Care and Tissue Viability Conference

Grand Station Wolverhampton
21 June 2023

Hygiene and sustainability in endoscopy: finding the balance

Online Event
Thursday 22nd June 2023

EBME Expo 2023

Judds Lane, Coventry, England, GB, CV6 6
28th - 29th June 2023

AfPP Annual Conference 2023

University of York
10- 13 August 2023

MEDICA - Leading International Trade Fair

Schadowstraße 49, 40212 Düsseldorf, Germany
13- 16 November 2023

Future Surgery

Excel Centre London
14 - 15 November 2023

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999 Fax: 01892 616177
www.step-communications.com
© 2023 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025