Comparison of acceptability, skin tolerance, and compliance between handwashing and alcohol-based handrub in ICUs: results of a multicentric study.
OBJECTIVE
We compared handwashing (HW) and alcohol-based handrub (ABH) for skin tolerance, acceptability, and hand hygiene compliance in health-care workers (HCWs) in a multicentric study.


METHODS
Before/after study over two periods (P1 and P2) in seven ICUs. Monitoring of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) acquisition in two ICUs (U4 and U6).


METHODS
All HCWs of the seven ICUs, and the patients of U4 and U6 without MRSA carriage on admission.


METHODS
Handwashing was available in P1 and P2. ABH was introduced after P1 and available throughout P2. HCWs completed questionnaires on skin tolerance in P1 and P2, and on acceptability in P2. Compliance with hand hygiene was assessed in P1 and P2 using a standardized method. ICU-acquired MRSA colonization/infection in U4 and U6 was recorded.


RESULTS
Hand erythema was reported during P1 and P2 by 21.7 and 11% of HCWs, respectively (P = 0.01), itching by 15.8 and 7.1% (P = 0.02), oozing by 0.8 and 1.1% (P = 0.82), and bleeding by 4.2 and 1.1% (P = 0.1). ABH was considered easier and quicker than HW (P < 0.01), but overall acceptability did not differ between the two. Compliance increased from 51% (334/647) in P1 to 60% (251/418) in P2, P < 0.01. No significant reduction in MRSA colonization/infection between P1 and P2 (P = 0.30) was observed, but the study was underpowered.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-report questionnaires show that when ABH is available in ICUs, fewer unpleasant skin sensations are reported. ABH is considered to be easier and quicker to use than HW and compliance is improved after glove removal.
CHU Clermont-Ferrand, unité de réanimation médicale, Pôle REUNNIRH, Hôp G Montpied, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Bertrand
B
Souweine
Alexandre
A
Lautrette
Claire
C
Aumeran
Marcel
M
Bénédit
Jean Michel
JM
Constantin
Michèle
M
Bonnard
Dominique
D
Guélon
Georges
G
Amat
Bruno
B
Aublet
Richard
R
Bonnet
Ousmane
O
Traoré
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004361:Drug Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000431:Ethanol