Hand antisepsis: evaluation of a sprayer system for alcohol distribution.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of a new alcohol sprayer by comparing it with an individual bottle of alcohol. Patterns of use and perceptions among healthcare personnel were compared for the two products.


METHODS
Observational study recording the volume of alcohol used and the compliance rate (frequency of hand antisepsis per number of opportunities), and a survey of healthcare workers' perceptions of the different hand hygiene strategies.


METHODS
A 20-bed medical unit in a public hospital in Marseille, France.


METHODS
Healthcare workers of an infectious disease unit


METHODS
Hand hygiene alcohol systems (sprayer vs individual bottle, 70% ethyl alcohol).


RESULTS
The sprayer was used more frequently than the individual bottle (12.6 vs 9.7 hand washes per day). With the sprayer system, compliance was 91% for physicians, 28% for nurses, and 8% for housekeeping personnel. Alcohol hand antisepsis was preferred to washing hands with soap and water in low-risk situations such as simple entrance into a room (91% vs 36%; P < 10(-6)) or simple contact with a patient (69% vs 40; P < .005). The sprayer system was considered easier to use (95%), more hygienic (90%), and faster (92%), with a better tolerance than the individual bottle.


CONCLUSIONS
The new alcohol sprayer should improve rapid hand antisepsis.
Barrau
Karine
K
Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nord, Marseille, France.
Rovery
Clarisse
C
Drancourt
Michel
M
Brouqui
Philippe
P
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D010564:Personnel, Hospital
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000431:Ethanol