Effects of hand disinfection with alcohol hand rub, ozonized water, or soap and water: time for reconsideration?

J Hosp Infect. 2020 Jun;105(2):213-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.03.014. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

Abstract

The effect of alcohol hand rub was tested in eradicating Escherichia coli, and compared with hand wash using ozonized tap water or soap and water. Alcohol eradicated all bacteria in 10 out of 35 participants, but with an average (SD) of 2330 (4227) cfu/mL left after disinfection, whereas ozonized water removed all bacteria in 10 out of 55 participants, with an average of only 538 (801) cfu/mL left (P = 0.045). Soap washing was the most effective with total removal of bacteria in six out of 20 participants, with an average of 98 (139) cfu/mL (P = 0.048 and 0.018 versus ozonized water and alcohol, respectively).

Keywords: Disinfection; Hand hygiene; Healthcare workers; Infection control; Ozone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • 2-Propanol / pharmacology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Disinfectants / classification
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Hand Disinfection / methods*
  • Hand Sanitizers / pharmacology*
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ozone / pharmacology
  • Soaps / pharmacology*
  • Water / pharmacology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Hand Sanitizers
  • Soaps
  • Water
  • Ethanol
  • Ozone
  • 2-Propanol