title: Feasibility: An important but neglected issue in patient hand hygiene.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient hand hygiene may be a useful strategy to prevent acquisition of pathogens and to reduce the risk for transmission by colonized patients. Several studies demonstrate that patients and long-term-care facility (LTCF) residents may have difficulty using hand hygiene products that are provided; however, none of them measure feasibility for patients to use different hand hygiene products.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 42 hospitalized patients and 46 LTCF residents was assessed for their ability to use 3 hand sanitizer products (8-oz pushdown pump bottle, 2-oz pocket-sized bottle with a reclosable lid, and alcohol-impregnated hand wipes). The time (seconds) required for accessing each product was compared among acute-care patients and LTCF residents. Participants provided feedback on which product they preferred and found easiest to use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 88 participants, 86 (97.7%) preferred the pushdown pump, 2 (2.3%) preferred the bottle with the reclosable lid, and none preferred the hand wipes. For both hospitalized patients and LTCF residents, the average time required to access the pushdown pump was significantly less than the time required to access the other products (pushdown pump, 0.45 seconds; bottle with reclosable lid, 3.86 seconds; and wipes, 5.66 seconds; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feasibility and ease of use should be considered in the selection of hand hygiene products for patients and LTCF residents.
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Cleveland VA Quality Scholars, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: shaninaknighton@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shanina C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Knighton
authors.affiliation: Nursing Service, Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Cherese
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.affiliation: Research Service, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Herleen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH; Nursing Service, Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burant
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, OH; Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Curtis J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Donskey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D064548:Hand Sanitizers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D064548:Hand Sanitizers
keywords: Patient hand sanitation; Patient product use