Healthcare worker hand size can impact infection control efforts

Size can affect bacterial load, product effectiveness


Healthcare professionals urged to consider the size of their hands when it comes to using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, to ensure adequate coverage by the product, according to an article on the Infection Control Today website.

In a study of whether the volume of alcohol-based handrub used by healthcare workers affects the residual bacterial concentration on their hands according to hand size, researchers found that bacterial reduction was significantly lower for large hands compared with small hands, which suggests a need for customizing the volume of alcohol-based hand rub.

There is evidence that the volume of sanitizer used should be large enough to cover the whole surface area of both hands, but there is no consensus on how much is the minimum necessary.

 "It is a matter of concern that healthcare workers with large hands could not achieve a minimum of 2 log10 reduction of bacteria on their hands by the application of 3mL of ABHR, the volume recommended by most manufacturers," researchers said.

Read the article.

 



February 9, 2016


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Designing for Distraction: Benefits for Children, Families

Designers who can incorporate distractions into pediatric healthcare facilities can help children and families successfully navigate healthcare journeys.


Staffing and Consolidation Reshape Outpatient Facility Strategies

Labor shortages and health system consolidation are driving new approaches to outpatient facility planning.


Adams Health Network Falls Victim to Phishing Attack

Adams Health Network does not have any evidence that the attacker was seeking patient information.


Ventilation and Filtering for Infection ControlĀ 

Poor IAQ can be deadly in healthcare facilities, so maintaining proper air conditioning and filter systems is key in controlling the spread of infection.


ChristianaCare Opens Aston Campus Neighborhood Hospital

The hospital is expected to care for approximately 15,000 patients each year.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.