Effectiveness of Alcohol–Based Hand Rubs for Removal of Clostridium difficile Spores from Hands

Alcohol–based hand rubs (ABHRs) are an effective means of decreasing the transmission of bacterial pathogens. Alcohol is not effective against Clostridium difficile spores. The retention of C. difficile spores on the hands of volunteers were examined after ABHR use and the subsequent transfer of these spores through physical contact Hand washing with soap and water is significantly more effective at removing C. difficile spores from the hands of volunteers than are ABHRs. Residual spores are readily transferred by a handshake after use of ABHR.