Results from a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control suggests alcohol-based hand rubs are well-tolerated by healthcare personnel.
Although alcohol-based hand rubs have already been shown to improve hand hygiene, usage may cause poor skin conditions and impede hand hygiene compliance and risk of infection. For this study, researchers administered a self-assessment questionnaire to 231 healthcare workers on their perceptions of alcohol-based hand rubs.
The respondents reported excellent or good skin tolerance in 73 percent of cases. In addition, superficial sebum values and pH levels declined slightly, but these decreases did not affect skin barrier function.
Although alcohol-based hand rubs have already been shown to improve hand hygiene, usage may cause poor skin conditions and impede hand hygiene compliance and risk of infection. For this study, researchers administered a self-assessment questionnaire to 231 healthcare workers on their perceptions of alcohol-based hand rubs.
The respondents reported excellent or good skin tolerance in 73 percent of cases. In addition, superficial sebum values and pH levels declined slightly, but these decreases did not affect skin barrier function.
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