From the Guidelines
Hand washing with soap and water is required after contact with all infections, including MRSA, C. difficile, and norovirus, regardless of whether the examination involves only patting or more extensive contact. For MRSA, washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective 1. However, for C. difficile and norovirus, soap and water must be used as alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against these pathogens. C. difficile forms spores that are resistant to alcohol, while norovirus has a non-enveloped structure that alcohol cannot adequately disrupt 1.
Key Considerations for Hand Hygiene
- The proper hand washing technique involves wetting hands, applying soap, scrubbing all surfaces for at least 20 seconds, rinsing thoroughly, and drying with a clean towel or air dryer.
- This mechanical removal of pathogens is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections and protecting both patients and healthcare workers.
- Even brief contact like patting can transfer these pathogens, making hand hygiene essential after every patient interaction.
- In CDI-hyperendemic or outbreak settings, it is recommended to preferentially use soap and water over alcohol-based products alone for hand hygiene 1.
Recommendations for Specific Pathogens
- For MRSA, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective, but soap and water can also be used 1.
- For C. difficile and norovirus, soap and water must be used due to the ineffectiveness of alcohol-based sanitizers against these pathogens 1.
- Hand hygiene should be performed after using the toilet, changing diapers, before and after preparing food, before eating, after handling garbage or soiled laundry items, and after touching animals or their feces or environments, especially in public settings such as petting zoos 1.
From the Research
Infections Requiring Hand Washing After Patting Examination
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 2, 3, 4
- Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) 2, 5
- Norovirus 5
Importance of Hand Hygiene
- Hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the transmission of nosocomial infections 2, 6, 3, 5
- Hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs can reduce the transmission of pathogens 2, 6, 3, 5, 4
- Hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers is essential in preventing the spread of infections 6, 3, 4