Alcohol free hand sanitizer

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Hello all! I am about to start working on a med/surg unit this week. I am concerned about the frequency with which I will be expected to use the alcohol based foam for hand hygiene. The facility does not want nurses to use hand sanitizers not provided by or approved by them. I am just curious what other people are doing. Do you wash your hands with soap and water each time in place of the alcohol based product? Or has anyone had any luck getting a non alcohol based product approved? Any insight would be appreciated.

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I try to use soap and water all the time but forget sometimes and do use had sanitizer

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The 4.5 years I was in a monitored program I used the provided hand sanitizer which had alcohol. I never was positive for ETs or ETg, or whatever you wanna call it. Everyone's physiology is different. The support group I was in at the time no one ever was positive, but quite a few did not used the hand sanitizer and washed with soap and water all the time. Best of luck.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Women's Health, LTC.

I do not, and have never, relied on hand sanitizer, in or out of monitoring. I may be old, but, a good hand-washing is best, in my opinion.

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I've been asking at my nursing support group and have also been getting mixed responses. I think I will try my best to used good old soap and water, and if that is not always possible then look into an alcohol free foam. Thanks to all who responded.

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There is emerging research about Benzalkonium Chloride hand sanitizer, which is alcohol free.

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