How Different Hand Rubbing Techniques Affect Hand Disinfection
Author Information
Author(s): Kampf Günter, Reichel Mirja, Feil Yvonne, Eggerstedt Sven, Kaulfers Paul-Michael
Primary Institution: BODE Chemie GmbH & Co. KG
Hypothesis
Can different rub-in techniques improve hand coverage during hygienic hand disinfection?
Conclusion
A 30-second application time is recommended for effective hand disinfection, as shorter times do not ensure complete coverage.
Supporting Evidence
- The reference procedure took an average of 75 seconds but left 53% of subjects with untreated areas.
- Five repetitions of the rub-in steps took 37 seconds and resulted in 67% of subjects having untreated areas.
- One repetition lasted 17 seconds, and all subjects had untreated areas.
- 'Responsible application' was effective, with 53% of non-healthcare workers and 55% of healthcare workers having untreated areas.
Takeaway
This study shows that taking 30 seconds to rub your hands with disinfectant is better than trying to do it in just 15 seconds, which might leave some spots unclean.
Methodology
The study involved testing various hand rub techniques with fluorescent dye to assess coverage under UV light.
Potential Biases
The study was conducted by employees of the hand rub manufacturer, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's sample size was small, and the results may not apply to clinical situations where less than 3 mL of disinfectant is used.
Participant Demographics
The study included 15 non-healthcare workers and 20 healthcare workers, with a mean age of 39.9 years and 56.6% female.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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