Hand rubbing with sprayed alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer is just as effective as rubbing with alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer poured onto the palm of the hand to reduce bacterial counts on hands and may be an acceptable alternative hand hygiene method pending assessment in other settings and for other pathogens

In February 2020 researchers from the Infection Control Programme, WHO Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety in Singapore and Switzerland published the results of their study to assess whether sprayed alcohol-based handrub can be an alternative (non-inferior) method for effective hand hygiene with/without handrubbing. A total of 19 individuals were involved in the study. Hands were contaminated with Escherichia coli followed by (1) handrubbing with alcohol-based handrub poured onto a hand palm, (2) handrubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub, and (3) applying sprayed alcohol-based handrub on hands without rubbing. Results showed that handrubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub was just as effective as the WHO method of handrubbing with poured alcohol-based handrub. The researchers concluded that hand rubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub may be an acceptable alternative hand hygiene method pending assessment in other settings and for other pathogens.

Xian Tan JB et al. Hand Rubbing with Sprayed Alcohol-Based Hand Rub: An Alternative Method for Effective Hand Hygiene. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Feb 14. [Epub ahead of print]

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