Antiseptic Technology: Access, Affordability, and Acceptance - Statistical Data Included

This article discusses various hand washing mechanisms and how they affect the rate of hand washing compliance by health-care workers.  An increased sink to bed ratio, ease of access to Antiseptic agents and acceptance of products increases hand washing compliance.

Factors other than antimicrobial activity of soaps and antiseptic agents used for hand hygiene by health personnel play a role in compliance with recommendations. However, hand hygiene products differ considerably in acceptance by hospital personnel. If switching from a nonmedicated soap to an antiseptic agent or increased use of an existing antiseptic agent for hand hygiene prevented a few more infections per year, one would notice that the additional expenditures for antiseptic agents would be offset by cost savings.

The antimicrobial activity of preparations used by healthcare workers for hand hygiene, such as soap and water or waterless antiseptic agents, is an important aspect of such preparations. Other factors that influence the frequency of use of hand hygiene products by personnel are important as well, and should be considered.

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