Easy 3-step hand rub technique superior to 6-step technique: Study

Apr 16, 2019

New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): A shortened 15-second application time and an easy three-step technique for use of alcohol-based hand rub is as effective in reducing bacteria as the 30-second application and six-step technique recommended by World Health Organization(WHO), new research says. WHO recommends a six-step 'how to hand rub' technique for using alcohol-based hand rub. However, adherence to all six steps is low and previous research indicates that a simplified three-step hand rub technique is superior to the six-step technique in terms of compliance and killing bacteria. In this research, 20 healthy volunteers (aged 18 to 51 years) were randomly assigned to rub their hands by following four different techniques - the six-step hand hygiene technique for 30 seconds; the six-step hand hygiene technique for 15 seconds; the three-step hand hygiene technique for 30 seconds; and the three-step hand hygiene technique for 15 seconds. Results showed that a shorter application time of 15-second rub was as effective at reducing bacterial counts on the hands of participants as the recommended 30-second hand rub. The authors pointed to several limitations and the most important is that the study assesses the efficacy of the two different hand hygiene techniques and two different application times in an experimental setting. So, the results cannot be extrapolated to a clinical setting.