A prospective multicenter study evaluating skin tolerance to standard hand hygiene techniques.
We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the dryness and irritation of the hands in health care facilities, and to evaluate whether that disinfection with an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is better tolerated than classic handwashing with mild soap and water. Our study was conducted in 9 sites in the summer and winter. A team of investigators evaluated dryness and irritation. This study takes into account most of the individual and environmental risk factors (age, sex, use of a protective agent, constitutional factors, personal factors, external factors, institution, function, and number of consecutive working days). The results from the 1932 assessments collected show that traditional handwashing is a risk factor for dryness and irritation, whereas the use of ABHR causes no skin deterioration and might have a protective effect, particularly in intensive use. These results provide a strong argument to counter the rear-guard resistance to the use of ABHRs.
Chamorey
Emmanuel
E
Infection Control Unit, Antoine Lacassagne Cancer Center, 33 Avenue de Valombrose, Nice Cedex 2, France. emmanuel.chamorey@nice.fnclcc.fr
Marcy
Pierre-Yves
PY
Dandine
Marc
M
Veyres
Patricia
P
Negrin
Nadine
N
Vandenbos
Frederic
F
Duval
Marie-Josée
MJ
Lambert
Sylvain
S
Mazzoni
Laëtitia
L
Chapuis
Viviane
V
Bodokh
Isaac
I
Sacleux
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D055815:Young Adult
D004202:Disinfectants