objective. To evaluate the microbiologic effectiveness of the World Health Organization's 6-step and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 3-step hand hygiene techniques using alcohol-based handrub.design. A parallel group randomized controlled trial.setting. An acute care inner-city teaching hospital (Glasgow).participants. Doctors (n = 42) and nurses (n = 78) undertaking direct patient care.intervention. Random 1:1 allocation of the 6-step (n = 60) or the 3-step (n = 60) technique.results. The 6-step technique was microbiologically more effective at reducing the median log 10 bacterial count. The 6-step technique reduced the count from 3.28 CFU/mL (95% CI, 3.11-3.38 CFU/mL) to 2.58 CFU/mL (2.08-2.93 CFU/mL), whereas the 3-step reduced it from 3.08 CFU/mL (2.977-3.27 CFU/mL) to 2.88 CFU/mL (−2.58 to 3.15 CFU/mL) (P = .02). However, the 6-step technique did not increase the total hand coverage area (98.8% vs 99.0%, P = .15) and required 15% (95% CI, 6%-24%) more time (42.50 seconds vs 35.0 seconds, P = .002). Total hand coverage was not related to the reduction in bacterial count.conclusions. Two techniques for hand hygiene using alcohol-based handrub are promoted in international guidance, the 6-step by the World Health Organization and 3-step by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study provides the first evidence in a randomized controlled trial that the 6-step technique is superior, thus these international guidance documents should consider this evidence, as should healthcare organizations using the 3-step technique in practice. 2016;37:661-666 Hand hygiene is argued to be the most important intervention in preventing healthcare-associated infection.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol1 Despite this, a recent systematic review 2 identified that there is limited evidence to support hand hygiene techniques, and compliance with hand hygiene remains suboptimal. There is little point in getting the opportunity, or the "5 Moments," 1 correct for hand hygiene if a technique effective in reducing the bacterial load on the hand thereafter is not evident.There are 2 main techniques in international guidance on hand hygiene: the first of these is the World Health Organization 6-step technique, 1 which involves applying a palmful of alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) in a cupped hand, covering all surfaces, and rubbing 6 different aspects of the hands. This technique has a limited evidence base for use in clinical practice because it was developed as a standardized technique to test hand hygiene products in a laboratory setting.3 Furthermore, this technique has no evidence of microbiologic effectiveness in clinical settings with ABHR. The second technique is the 3-step technique. This technique involves first, applying ABHR to the palm of one hand and rubbing hands together; second, covering all surfaces; third, continuing to rub until hands are dry. 4 There is some observational evidence base 5 and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) to support this technique on the basis of shorter duration, althoug...