Infectious Diseases

Answer 1 Alcohol-based handrub. The efficacy of alcohol-based handrub in reducing bacteria on hands is better than plain or antimicrobial soaps.1 However, visibly soiled hands should be cleaned with soap and water. Alcohol-based handrubs have also been shown to be least damaging to the skin and require less time than soap and water for hand disinfection. REFERENCE 1. Boyce JM, Pittet D; Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee; HIPAC/SHEA/ADIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Guideline for hand hygiene in health care settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America/Association for Professionals in InfectionControl/Infectious Diseases Society of America. MMWR Recomm Rep 2002;51(RR-16):1-45. Click here to return to the questions

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