The newer alcohol based hand cleansers are actually really gentle on
hands.  We have a nationally known ID/epidemiologist who supports their
use, as well as a not-as-well-known-but-pretty-darn-brilliant surgical ID
specialist who agrees.  And as the best compliance rates in publications
are around 60% of appropriate handwashing, anything that makes it faster
and more efficient is better!  I think most patients won't notice the
change just because they weren't seeing it happen before, particularly
amongst the people who interact with them most frequently (nurses, etc.)
A colleague said she read that if nurses actually washed their hands for
the recommended 3 minutes before and after each patient, they would spend
4 hours doing so for each 12 hours shift.

Shannon Tierney McElearney, MD
General Surgery
mom to almost-1-year-old nursling Jack
UVA

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