| Document ID (ISN) | 108812 |
| CIS number |
08-1310 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0019-8366 - Industrial Health |
| Year |
2007 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Kampf G., Löffler H. |
| Title |
Prevention of irritant contact dermatitis among health care workers by using evidence-based hand hygiene practices: A review |
| Bibliographic information |
Oct. 2007, Vol.45, No.5, p.645-652. Illus. 52 ref. |
| Internet access |
http://www.jniosh.go.jp/en/indu_hel/pdf/IH_45_5_645.pdf [in English]
|
| Abstract |
Irritant contact dermatitis is often found on the hands of healthcare workers and is generally caused by frequent hand washing, gloves, aggressive disinfectants or detergents. Alcohols have only a marginal irritation potential, although they may cause a burning sensation on pre-irritated skin. A burning sensation when using alcohols therefore suggests that the skin barrier is already damaged. Most clinical situations require the use of an alcohol-based hand rub for decontamination, which is especially useful for reducing the nosocomial transmission of various infectious agents. Washing one's hands should be the exception, to be performed only when they are visibly soiled or contaminated with blood or other body fluids. The overall compliance rate in hand hygiene was only found to be around 50%, and mostly consisted of washing hands with soap and water. Consequences of these findings are discussed. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
detergents; alcohols; eczema; health care personnel; personal hygiene; hospitals; hand |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
literature survey; occupational hygiene; disobeying safety instructions; safe working methods; irritants |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Germany |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Health care services
Skin diseases
Alcohols
|
