Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of 6 Versus 3 Steps for Hand Hygiene

Randomised Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Two Hand Hygiene Techniques Using Alcohol Based Hand Rub on Hand Surface Coverage and Reducing Bacterial Hand Contamination

The aim is to compare the effectiveness of the 6 step hand rub technique versus 3 step hand rub technique in hand coverage and in reducing bacterial contamination on the hands of healthcare workers in practice.

Research questions

1. What is the effectiveness of the 6 step technique in hand coverage compared to the 3 step technique?

   1. What are the most frequently missed sites in hand surface coverage using 6 steps compared to 3 steps?
   2. What is the reduction in bacterial contamination of the hand with the 6 step compared to the 3 step technique?

2. Does site missed or coverage relate to bacterial load?

3. What is the time taken for 6 step technique versus 3 step technique?

The 6 step for decontamination of healthcare workers hand is recommended by the World Health Organization but the 3 step technique is easy to perform and has been shown by some studies to be effective. Compliance with the 6 step technique is not optimum. If the 3 step was more as or more effective than the 6 step compliance with it could be compared with that for the 6 step. No randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of these two techniques using alcohol based hand rub has been conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Medical and nursing staff performing a clinical procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

• A procedure requiring use of gloves
• A self declared active skin condition