Aim: The aim of this systematic review is to establish evidence-based recommendations for hand hygiene for health care workers in New Zealand.
Methods: Using a systematic approach to literature searching, relevant studies were retrieved and evaluated using a standardised tool. The 23 studies that met the inclusion criteria were categorised into subgroups depending on the type of comparison: hand hygiene product; skin condition; hand drying method. A 'best-evidence synthesis' was utilised for classifying the evidence.
Results: Included studies provided evidence to support the use of alcohol-based hand rub as the preferred hand hygiene product. There was conflicting evidence for the use of medicated or plain soap, or any particular method to dry hands.
Conclusions: Hand hygiene is a crucial component of risk management for both health care workers and their patients. It is important that hand hygiene practice is based on the best current evidence. As a result of a systematic review, evidence-based recommendations for hand hygiene for health care workers are proposed.