Up-to-date views for hand-hygiene

This article reviews hand-hygiene practices of healthcare workers (HCWs), levels of adherence of personnel to recommended handwashing practices and factors adversery affecting adherence, in addition, it summarizes the new studies of the in vivo efficacy of alcohol-based hand rubbing and the low incidence of dermatitis associated with its use. Finally, it is stressed the value of multidisciplinary hand-hygiene promotion programs and the potential role of alcohol-based hand rubbing in improving hand-hygiene practices.

Keywords: Hand-hygiene, alcohol- based hand rubbing