Handwashing: what is the best solution?
The options for keeping hands clean in hospital include soap; antimicrobial solutions; iodine and iodophours; and alcohol solutions and rubs. Following the recent directive for alcohol rubs to be placed at hospital bedsides, this paper considers the pros and cons of these and other hand-hygiene methods.
Jeanes
Annette
A
University Hospital, Lewisham, London. annette.jeanes@uhl.nhs.uk
D019840:2-Propanol / Q000592:standards; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000592:standards; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000592:standards; D012915:Soaps / Q000592:standards*; D012996:Solutions / Q000592:standards*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000592:standards
D004202:Disinfectants; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D012915:Soaps; D012996:Solutions; D014260:Triclosan; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D019840:2-Propanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine