A randomized trial of soap and water hand wash versus alcohol hand rub for removal of Clostridium difficile spores from hands of patients

摘要

Effective hand hygiene is essential to prevent transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. Most hand hygiene programs in healthcare settings focus on compliance of healthcare workers, because transient contamination of their hands is considered to be the major source for transmission of pathogens. There is increasing awareness that the hands of patients may also become transiently or persistently contaminated by pathogens, but limited efforts have been made to engage patients in hand hygiene interventions.