title: [Readability and comprehension of guidelines for hand hygiene: a comparison between WHO (2009) and CDC (2002) guidelines].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Updating clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) is a crucial process for maintaining the validity of recommendations. However, the updating process should be explicit and changes made highlighted in the updated text.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To confront and compare two CPGs on hand hygiene (World Health Organization, WHO, 2009 and Centres for Disease Control, CDC 2002), to identify discrepancies and changes made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although mostly comparable, CDC and WHO guidelines use a different terminology on hand hygiene which could be onfounding: in the former handwashing includes the use of plain soap in the latter also the use of an antimicrobial soap. The lack of a glossary may render tricky the interpretation. Some problems in retrieving the evidence base of a recommendation are highlighted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Great attention should be paid before implementing an updated guideline. The need of essential and easy to consult guidelines, where in the updated version the news and modifications are highlighted are stressed.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brugnolli
authors.forename: Giancarla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Saiani
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003657:Decision Making; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards; D007558:Italy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014944:World Health Organization