Is Your Alcohol Handrub as Professional as You Are?

Professional is as Professional Does

Professional healthcare workers need to protect their patients and themselves over the course of a workday against pathogenic microorganisms that are present in healthcare facilities today. They also need to protect their skin from the potentially harsh effects of repeated hand decontamination required for proper compliance to protocols. A professional-grade hand hygiene product that meets FDA performance standards can provide superior antimicrobial efficacy and can also provide mildness and moisturization to promote good skin health. There is scientific evidence available that differentiates professional and household alcohol handrubs. Now that you know the difference, ask to see it for your hand hygiene products and make an educated decision for your facility.ICT

Jeanne Medvick, BAMT (ASCP), MBA, is group manager of clinical studies for STERIS Corporation. She is responsible for clinical evaluations related to skin care products. She has more than 25 years of experience in infection prevention and control, both in microbiology research and as an infection control professional. Over the years, Medvick has presented at many local and national continuing education offerings for professional healthcare organizations. Her areas of expertise include infection prevention and control trends and practices (such as strategies for preventingand controlling antimicrobial resistance), improving hand hygiene compliance, maintaining skin health, and disinfection and sterilization issues. She has been an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) since 1980 and has served in many capacities including as president of the Pittsburgh APIC chapter. She currently belongs to the Greater St. Louis APICchapter and is a longstanding member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.

References:

1. Food and Drug Administration. Topical antimicrobial drug products for over-the-counter human use: tentative final monograph for health care antiseptic drug products-proposed rule. Federal Register, Parts 333 and 369, Vol. 59, No.116, June 17, 1994; pp. 31402-31452.

2. Fendler EJ, Ali Y, Hammond, BS, Lyons MK, Kelly MB, Vowell, NA. The impact of hand sanitizer use on infection rates in an extended care facility. Am. J. Infect. Control. 2002; 30:226-33.