The impact of alcohol hand sanitizer use on infection rates in an extended care facility.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections are a major problem in health care facilities, resulting in extended durations of care and substantial morbidity. Since alcohol gel hand sanitizers combine high immediate antimicrobial efficacy with ease of use, this study was carried out to determine the effect of the use of alcohol gel hand sanitizer by caregivers on infection types and rates in an extended care facility. METHOD: Infection rate and type data were collected in a 275-bed extended care facility for 34 months (July 1997 to May 2000), during which an alcohol gel hand sanitizer was used by the caregivers in 2 units of the facility. RESULTS: The primary infection types found were urinary tract with Foley catheter, respiratory tract, and wound infections. Comparison of the infection types and rates for the units where hand sanitizer was used with those for the control units where the hand sanitizer was not used showed a 30.4% decrease in infection rates for the 34-month period in the units where hand sanitizer was used. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that use of an alcohol gel hand sanitizer can decrease infection rates and provide an additional tool for an effective infection control program.

A close look at alcohol gel as an antimicrobial sanitizing agent.

BACKGROUND: Hand transmission of microbes by health care workers is a primary cause of nosocomial infections in both long-term and acute care facilities. Compliance with effective handwashing and hand sanitization regimens can break this cycle. METHODS: We investigated the antimicrobial efficacy and irritation potential of 5 handwash product regimens: a nonantimicrobial lotion soap, an antimicrobial lotion soap, an alcohol gel sanitizer, a nonantimicrobial lotion soap with an alcohol gel sanitizer, and an antimicrobial lotion soap with an alcohol gel sanitizer. The regimens were evaluated by using a Healthcare Personnel Handwash procedure, and irritation was assessed by using expert hand evaluation after 25 consecutive washes. RESULTS: The Healthcare Personnel Handwash data showed that the mean log reductions from baseline were greatest for the lotion soaps with alcohol gel sanitizer, less for the alcohol and the antimicrobial soap alone, and least for the bland soap. All of the product regimens showed a low potential for skin irritation. CONCLUSION: In terms of both microorganism reduction and skin irritation, the most effective product regimens were the use of alcohol gel sanitizer in combination with either an antimicrobial or a plain lotion soap.