G Pinto, D Rodrigues, M Macieira, M S Gião, C M Reis, S Woolhouse, J Azeredo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Proper hand hygiene is extremely important to control the transmission of pathogens. Although many studies have been undertaken on the effect of washing and drying on bacterial contamination of hands, studies on viral contamination are scarce.
Aim: To assess the viral load of artificially contaminated hands after washing and after drying.
Methods: Thirty volunteers completed a questionnaire on hand hygiene, and participated in microbial assays testing five different drying approaches, using whole-hand methodology, to quantify viruses on hands. Bacterial assays were also performed for comparison purposes.
Results: For both viruses and bacteria, the washing step promoted a significant reduction in the microbial load, while the drying step only promoted a slight reduction, regardless of the drying method used. Hand dryers and paper towels did not induce recontamination of washed hands.
Conclusions: Handwashing promoted a reduction in the microbial load of hands, but none of the drying methods tested led to a significant reduction in the microbial load of hands.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Hospital Infection is the editorially independent scientific publication of the Healthcare Infection Society. The aim of the Journal is to publish high quality research and information relating to infection prevention and control that is relevant to an international audience.
The Journal welcomes submissions that relate to all aspects of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. This includes submissions that:
provide new insight into the epidemiology, surveillance, or prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings;
provide new insight into cleaning, disinfection and decontamination;
provide new insight into the design of healthcare premises;
describe novel aspects of outbreaks of infection;
throw light on techniques for effective antimicrobial stewardship;
describe novel techniques (laboratory-based or point of care) for the detection of infection or antimicrobial resistance in the healthcare setting, particularly if these can be used to facilitate infection prevention and control;
improve understanding of the motivations of safe healthcare behaviour, or describe techniques for achieving behavioural and cultural change;
improve understanding of the use of IT systems in infection surveillance and prevention and control.
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