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Effect of Correctly Using Alcohol-Based Hand Rub in a Clinical Setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Sussie Laustsen*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej, Aarhus, Denmark
Elisabeth Lund
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej, Aarhus, Denmark
Bo Martin Bibby
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
Brian Kristensen
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej, Aarhus, Denmark
Ane Marie Thulstrup
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Sygehus, Aarhus, Denmark
Jens Kjølseth Møller
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej, Aarhus, Denmark
*
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark ([email protected])

Abstract

We evaluated hand antisepsis in clinical practice at Aarhus University Hospital in Skejby, Denmark. The rate of compliance with the correct use of alcohol-based hand rub exceeded 55% of all routine clinical procedures observed. With the correct use of alcohol-based hand rub by hospital staff, bacterial counts were reduced by 90% before and 82% after a clinical procedure; with incorrect use, the bacterial counts were reduced by 60% before and 54% after a clinical procedure.

Type
Concise Communication
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2008

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