Poll: Do you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as an adjunct to handwashing?

kidluvinRN · Feb 21, 2005

Alcohol wash is fine as long as your hands aren't visibly soiled per CDC guidelines.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 21, 2005

I use the alcohol rub in-between patients and as a routine when entering or leaving a pt. room, but I do the full handwash whenever I've been doing wound or incontinence care, and anytime I have to use gloves.

Limik · Feb 21, 2005

I do use alcohol based hand wash and I've read all the data on its effectiveness. Honestly though, I never feel like my hands are really clean after I use it. I use it in between patients but as soon as I have time I rewash with soap and water. :uhoh3:

UM Review RN, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2005

We use it too. It's very good for quickie cleanups. Otherwise, I use my own liquid soap because the hospital soap tears my skin apart--literally.

safewaygreenbox · Feb 21, 2005

I use it all the time between patients etc and like it, I find it kinder to my skin and a lot quicker than a hand wash with soap. We have a dispenser at the end of each bed and trollys and outside doorways.

Great stuff - just don't drink it as some patients have been found to do!!! :smokin: (Not on my ward)

Kay the 2nd x

Brian, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2005

here are a few links i found on the cdc website on this topic:

http://www.cdc.gov/search.do?action=search&querytext=alcohol-based+hand

cdc - hand hygiene in healthcare settings

http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/

alcohol-based hand-rubs and fire safety

http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/firesafety/default.htm

(you will need power point to view this item)

hand hygiene in healthcare settings core

definitions hand hygiene performing handwashing, antiseptic handwash, alcohol-based handrub, surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis handwashing washing hands with plain soap and water antiseptic handwash washing hands with water and soa...

improving adherence to hand hygiene practice: a multidisciplinary approach

hand hygiene prevents cross-infection in hospitals, but health-care workers' adherence to guidelines is poor. easy, timely access to both hand hygiene and skin protection is necessary for satisfactory hand hygiene behavior. alcohol-based hand rubs may be better than traditional handwashing as they require less time, act faster, are less irritating, and contribute to sustained improvement in compliance associated with decreased infection rates. this article reviews barriers to appropriate hand hygiene and risk factors for noncompliance and proposes strategies for promoting hand hygiene.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 21, 2005

We have a gel dispenser on the wall outside each of our rooms (we have 16 beds, but only 7 separate rooms, the rest are in an open unit) and each bedside cart has a pump dispenser. All sinks have both gel and soap. I use the gel a lot, and wash up after suctioning, personal care, dressings and anything I've worn gloces for. I find that repeated applications of the gel cause my hands to become very slimy when I do wash them, but I've had far less skin trouble than I did with the CHG foam soap in my previous unit.

URO-RN · Feb 21, 2005

Hibiclens and those alcohol gels do not mix. I get cuts on my hands.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2005

yep. Except it doesn't work on C-Diff patients.

Also every third time we wash our hands we're supposed to do it the old fashioned way with soap and water.

Every days it seems either a new form, or a new regulation, it gets confusing. :)

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2005

I do between patients but also like to wash my hands - they just feel cleaner.

steph

nurseangel78 · Feb 22, 2005

I don't use it as routine handwashing, but occasionally use it between patients. I usually have my hands in soap and water all shift long, guess that's why my hands and so rough and dry.