Reducing Nosocomial Infections Comparing the Efficacy of AlcoholBased

Reducing Nosocomial Infections Comparing the Efficacy of Alcohol-Based Solutions and Soap-Based Hand-washing in Reducing Hand-Borne Pathogens

Nosocomial Infections: Statistics �Nosocomial infections affect about 30% of patients in Intensive-Care units �A 2007 Study Found that 1. 7 Million Patients in the U. S Acquired Nosocomial Infections � 99, 000 of Those Patients Died from Their Nosocomial Infections

Hand Hygiene �Good Hand Hygiene is An Effective Way to Reduce the Presence and Transfer of Hand-Borne Pathogens �Compliance With Hand-Washing Protocols and Standards is Often Very Low �Nurses and Healthcare Assistants Have the Highest Rate of Compliance at Just Over 40%

Alcohol-Based Cleaning Solutions and Hygiene Compliance �Alcohol-Based Hand Cleaning Is An Effective Way to Reduce Pathogen Levels on Hands �Dispensers for Alcohol-Based Hand Cleaning Solutions Are Convenient And Easy To Install Without the Need for Plumbing Fixtures �Easy Access to Alcohol-Based Cleaning Solutions Has Been Shown to Increase Compliance With Hand Hygiene Regimens and Protocols

Effect of Alcohol-Based Hand Hygiene on Rates of Nosocomial Infections �A Recent Study Tracked the Results After Spirigel Dispensers were placed at the Bedside of Every Patient in a Major Hospital �In the Year Following the Installation of Bedside Dispensers the Incidence of MRSA and CDAD Infections Dropped Significantly

Soap-Based Hand Washing �Washing with Regular Soap is Less Effective Than Hygienic Hand Disinfection �Even Washing For Several Minutes Has A Minimal Effect on Physiological Flora �Washing With Antimicrobial Soap is More Effective Than Washing With Regular Soap, but… �The Duration of Hand-washing With Antimicrobial Soap Is Often Too Brief to Be Effective

Soap-Based Hand-Washing �Studies Have Shown That Using Alcohol-Based Solutions for Hand Hygiene is More Effective Than Using regular Soap or Anti-Microbial Soap �Studies Have Shown That Nurses Prefer the Convenience of using Alcohol-Based Solutions for Hand Hygiene

Conclusions �Nocosomial Infections are a Serious Threat to Patients �Hand Hygiene is One of the Easiest Ways to Reduce the Risk of Nocosomial Infections �Alcohol-Based Solutions for Hand Hygiene are Superior to Anti-Microbial Soaps �The Convenience of Alcohol-Based Solutions for Hand Hygiene May Lead to Higher rates of Compliance

Recommendations �Make Alcohol-Based Solution Dispensers Available at Every Patient’s Bedside �Install Alcohol-Based Solution Dispensers Wherever Practical �Develop Comprehensive Hand Hygiene Regimens for All health Care Workers �Conduct Regular Audits and Ongoing Educational programs about hand Hygiene.

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