In February 2020 researchers from the Infection Control Programme, WHO Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety in Singapore and Switzerland published the results of their study to assess whether sprayed alcohol-based handrub can be an alternative (non-inferior) method for effective hand hygiene with/without handrubbing. A total of 19 individuals were involved in the study. Hands were contaminated with Escherichia coli followed by (1) handrubbing with alcohol-based handrub poured onto a hand palm, (2) handrubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub, and (3) applying sprayed alcohol-based handrub on hands without rubbing. Results showed that handrubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub was just as effective as the WHO method of handrubbing with poured alcohol-based handrub. The researchers concluded that hand rubbing with sprayed alcohol-based handrub may be an acceptable alternative hand hygiene method pending assessment in other settings and for other pathogens.
Xian Tan JB et al. Hand Rubbing with Sprayed Alcohol-Based Hand Rub: An Alternative Method for Effective Hand Hygiene. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Feb 14. [Epub ahead of print]