Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Best practice, Care guideline, Factsheet, Web directory
Abstract:
The hand hygiene guidelines were developed by the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), in collaboration with the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). The hand hygiene guidelines are part of an overall CDC strategy to reduce infections in health care settings to promote patient safety
Category:
Control
Prevention
Expert Review
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Summary:
This is an excellent review of the evidence on hand hygiene undertaken by Boyce and Pittet on behalf of HICPAC. These guidlelines supercede the 1995 APIC guidelines and are the gold standard for the USA. They include the evidence for the use of alcohol hand rub. In the first part there is a thorough review of the history of hand hygiene, discussion of materials used, a comprehensive list of definitions, some economic evaluations and a new section on adherence.
Questions Addressed:
The guidelines cover hand hygiene in surgery and normal care actvities. They include when to decontaminate hands, how and what to use the use. There is also guidance on hand lotions and creams.
Type of Study:
A wide variety of studies are considered
Methods Valid:
Yes
Methods Valid Detail:
The methods of developing HICPAC guidleines are not included in the individual guidelines but are available. They differ from those used by NICE and the recommendation categories concern implementation, whereas in the UK recommendations are based on the strength of the evidence.
Results Reliability:
Yes these are considered one of the best hand hygiene guidelines available.
Problems or Biases:
No. Readers should note the differences in guideline development methods
Relevant Studies:
None
Keywords:
hand hygiene alcohol hand rub international guidelines
Reviewer Name:
Dr Carol Pellowe
Reviewer Post:
Deputy Director
Reviewer Affiliations:
Richard Wells Research Centre,Thames Valley University