The effect of rings on microbial load of health care workers' hands

The effect of rings on microbial load of health care workers' hands

Salisbury D M; Hutfilz P; Treen L M; Bollin G E; Gautam S

American Journal of Infection Control

1997

1997-02

Background: The hands of health care workers (HCWs) serve as a major route for transmission of nosocomial infection. Although handwashing is known to reduce cross-transmission of infection, the influence of rings on the efficacy of handwashing and the carriage of bacteria on the hands has not been well established. Methods: In this study, 50 HCWs with rings were paired by unit with 50 HCWs without rings. Cultures were obtained by use of a timed-friction rinse before and after a timed handwashing. Standard laboratory procedures were followed for identification of the bacteria. Result: When colony counts before handwashing are taken into consideration, a significant difference is seen after handwashing between the two groups (R(2) = 0.56). The regression model showed that the slope was significantly steeper (p < 0.0014) for the group with rings, This effect is more apparent when the colony count on hands is greater than 1000 colony forming units before handwashing. Conclusions: A standardized, timed handwashing procedure was effective in decreasing the bioload of HCWs' hands. The effect of rings on the bioload was significant in this study.

Environmental & Occupational Health; Infectious Diseases; microorganisms; Public

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Journal Article

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