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

nekhismom · Mar 4, 2005

I use it, especially in the nursing home, but I also suffer from painful cracks and fissures at the end of my fingers beside my nails. Is there nothing that would help prevent this. The more days in a row that I work the worse it is. I have a hairdresser who also has this problem. I think the hand lotions only make it worse because healing can't take place when you put lotion with perfumes, etc in it, on an open wound. I also worrry about picking up an infection. Why not do a survey about this and see if anyone has a solution.
Cathy

I do use it quite a bit, but still prefer good ole fashioned handwashing!

Cathy, have you tried Aveeno brand intense relief hand cream? It is supposed to last for 24 hours, but it does last through at least 2-3 handwashings. You can feel it hanging around and it is wonderful. No artificial scents, either. Got mine for about 6 bucks at Target.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Mar 4, 2005

I've read somewhere that alcohol gel is more effective against germs that soap and water. Has anybody heard that?

After we had the dispensers put up all over the unit, we also were treated to a lit search list of studies proving that the gel is better at killing bugs on the skin and the effect lasting much longer than soap and water. My main beef about gels is that plug that forms at the end of the pumper, that obstructs the pumper to the point that you have to really jam down on the thing, and then the junk sprays all over the place, usually in the face. Owweeee!

LPNer · Mar 4, 2005

I don't know if any of you are surgical nurses or not to know about this, but a few weeks ago, I did a clinical day in the surgical suite. The hospital that I'm at actually has an alcohol based gel cleanser for the nurses/doc's to use instead of scrubbing with soap and water. I only saw the scrub nurse use it, and she said she liked it a lot better bc her hands didn't get so irritated. She used three or four HUGE handfuls and rubbed it up both arms and all over her hands and scrubbed her nails with it too.... What do you all think about this???

I would not think this adequate for the OR. (I assume that is what your are saying, the scrub nurse used the gel sanitizer instead of a traditional scrubbing) The question that comes to my mind is: Is she actually scrubbing with it followed with a thorough rinsing from elbow to hand with running water? That may improve the situation some but the gel is not adequate for removing soils. We all have soils, even if we can not see them and though harmless for most patient contact, a surgical procedure should be free of all soils and bacteria, etc.

I don't think it's a very good idea, seems to me to missing that one component (removing soils) of the surgical scrub.

But then, I don't work in the OR, so I only have a humble opinion.

LPNer · Mar 4, 2005

I use gel alot in home care. In fact I have one patient that doesn't have a sink nearby--I have to go the other side of the house to get to running water. I've read somewhere that alcohol gel is more effective against germs that soap and water. Has anybody heard that?

Soap and water can breed germs but is very effective at removing those same germs living on it IF it is used correctly. You must completely rinse with your hands finger down in order to allow the soap to carry the germs with it as it rolls off your hands. Then dry and don't touch soap, or faucets without protection. Only then can soap and water be as effective as the sanitizers against non visibly soiled hands. Visible soils always require the surfactant properties of soap.

Daye · Mar 4, 2005

Both I use gel when entering and leaving the pt room but I wash before and after any dirrect hands on care with the patient or bed linens.

bfraser56 · Mar 5, 2005

I hate using this stuff because it causes my hands to crack and dry out. so I try to use it spareingly. :uhoh3: :crying2:

mage · Mar 8, 2005

The CDC recommends the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers as an adjunct to washing hands with soap and water. There has been reliable research on it's effectiveness. Wash hands at appropriate times, such as when they are visibly soiled, upon arrival and when leaving work, befoe and after meals, before and after toileting. It is recommended to wash hands after using the sanitizer 5 times. I cannot use all brands some are irritating to my skin. I have found a couple of brands that don't irritate me. I think it improves infection control measures,as I have seen many healthcare workers neglect to wash their hands at the appropriate times( even in areas where contact precautions are required)

seinna48 · Mar 11, 2005

Clinical evaluations have shown that it is faster to use, improves skin hydration and moisture capacity. Sanitizer icauses less irritation than soap and hand washing. Sanitizers exhibit high antimicrobial efficacy against a wide variety of microorganisms. :rolleyes:

Don't use hand washing if at all possible.

Seinna

frogdog · Mar 18, 2005

I don't know if any of you are surgical nurses or not to know about this, but a few weeks ago, I did a clinical day in the surgical suite. The hospital that I'm at actually has an alcohol based gel cleanser for the nurses/doc's to use instead of scrubbing with soap and water. I only saw the scrub nurse use it, and she said she liked it a lot better bc her hands didn't get so irritated. She used three or four HUGE handfuls and rubbed it up both arms and all over her hands and scrubbed her nails with it too.... What do you all think about this???

If you read the CDC report, it supports her. I like to wash, myself, but the alcohol for hospitals apparently kills most bacteria on hands and then stunts regrowth.

seinna48 · Mar 18, 2005

I am not a surgical nurse now, but our staff uses soap instead of sanitizer. The reason that I think they do this is because they have used tht soap so long that it is more of habit than what is best for them. Also I am sure they consider cost of the soap agaist that of the sanitizer. Yet,sanitizer can come in many forms. They have some with ingredients that not not can the hands amd arms to break down.

I use one that has glycerin, mineral oil and petrolatum among other ingredients. My hands are not broke out or red lik tey were when I used soap. My hand bled all the time. I hurt so bad that I thought I would cry.

We have an OB/GYN hospital about 60 miles from us and they have all switiched to using a sanitizer ( different ones for the doctors ad nurses) and it is my understanding that they love it.

I don't know the answer.I think that some nurses and doctors are just not ready or they believe in the old way of doingthings.

Another example is commercials on the t.v. You will see people using wipe rags that are disposable. They use dish towels that are disposable.

For me the soap is too irritating and even though I am a supervisor, I still have to wash my hands condtantly, therefore I like the sanitizer much better. :specs:

scooterRN52 · Mar 19, 2005

If you read the CDC report, it supports her. I like to wash, myself, but the alcohol for hospitals apparently kills most bacteria on hands and then stunts regrowth.

I have read all the information and reports on the alcohol gels that we use in the hospital and agree that they are very effective in killing bacteria on the hands. I beleive that a good hand washing plus using the gel after you wash

makes a difference and really kills bacteria left behind that is not killed during handwashing.

infullbloom1 · Mar 19, 2005

I constantly use it! I even wash my hands, then use it- everyone on my unit has been so sick and I am desperate to escape this flu bug!!