What is the role of hand sanitizers or alcohol rubs and can they be used instead of hand washing?
This question was submitted by a general dentist: What is the role of hand sanitizers or alcohol rubs and can they be used instead of hand washing?
Dr. Nita Mazurat, representing the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention (OSAP) has provided this quick initial response
Hand hygiene practice is only efficacious when there is compliance. The simple message is “practice good hand hygiene for every patient, every time!”
As long as hands are not soiled, alcohol-based hand-rubs may be utilized for hand hygiene and can be used as an adjunct or an alternative to washing with soap and water. The key word is “soiled” which includes any organic or inorganic debris, including blood, saliva, powder, or soil. A systematic review of publications between 1992 and 2002 on the effectiveness of alcohol-based solutions for hand hygiene showed that alcohol-based hand-rubs remove organisms more effectively, require less time, and irritate skin less often than hand-washing with soap or other antiseptic agents and water. (Picheansathian, 2004)
The efficacy of alcohol-based hand-hygiene products is affected by a number of factors, including the type of alcohol used, concentration of alcohol, contact time, volume of alcohol used, and whether the hands are wet when the alcohol is applied. The ideal volume is unknown due to these variables. However, it is important that sufficient volume is used so that the hands remain wet for 30 seconds. (WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare). Consumers should be thoroughly familiar with the product they are using, including any testing that has been performed utilizing that product.
Further resources are available on the OSAP website, key-word search “hand hygiene”
References
Picheansathian W. A systematic review on the effectiveness of alcohol-based solutions for hand hygiene. Int J Nurs Pract. 2004;10(1):3-9.
World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care; 2009. [Accessed 2013 Jun 5]. Available: http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/tools/9789241597906/en/
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As noted in the article the efficacy is highly variable by so many factors, (some as of yet unknown) that it really should be questioned as an acceptable means of disinfecting skin. Many different results have been obtained by the studies over the years. So too we should question the safety of the products. I can taste alcohol in my mouth for 30 minutes after using (on my hands only). That can’t be good!
I believe that you must be sensing the odour of alcohol (because of its volatility) as taste (the sensation of taste relies heavily on odour). The alcohol in the hand sanitizers is not absorbed transdermally.
Thanks for the article. Very useful one
Well Said. There is no doubt about the efficacy of hand rubs as they provide far better results compared to hand washing.
Great Article. Thanks for the Info!!!