Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (Feb 2024)

Updates and future directions regarding hand hygiene in the healthcare setting: insights from the 3rd ICPIC alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) task force

  • Ermira Tartari,
  • Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues,
  • Daniela Pires,
  • Carolina Fankhauser,
  • Nasim Lotfinejad,
  • Hiroki Saito,
  • Miranda Suchomel,
  • Axel Kramer,
  • Benedetta Allegranzi,
  • John Boyce,
  • Hugo Sax,
  • Andrew J. Stewardson,
  • Didier Pittet,
  • the ICPIC Alcohol-Based Handrub Task Force

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-024-01374-9
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pose threats to global health. Effective hand hygiene is essential for preventing HAIs and the spread of AMR in healthcare. We aimed to highlight the recent progress and future directions in hand hygiene and alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) use in the healthcare setting. In September 2023, 42 experts in infection prevention and control (IPC) convened at the 3rd International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) ABHR Taskforce in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of this meeting was to provide a synthesis of recent evidence and formulate a research agenda on four critical areas for the implementation of effective hand hygiene practices: (1) ABHR formulations and hand rubbing techniques, (2) low-resource settings and local production of ABHR, (3) hand hygiene monitoring and technological innovations, and (4) hand hygiene standards and guidelines.

Keywords