Just one milliliter of alcohol hand sanitizer per patient per day is enough to reduce the rate of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection by 1%, according to a study conducted in British hospitals .

Hospital infections due to MRSA are a growing problem, especially because these bacteria are resistant to an increasing number of antibiotic medications. In 2004, the U.K. National Health Service launched a national "clean your hands" campaign among health care workers at 187 U.K. hospitals. In addition to patient and health care provider education, the campaign consisted of placing alcohol hand sanitizer at the bedside of every patient. Investigators from the University College London found that improved hand hygiene lowered the risk of in-hospital MRSA infection.

According to the lead investigator, Dr. Sheldon Stone, the findings of this study serve as a reminder of the importance of hand-washing, both at home and in the workplace. As winter approaches, cold and flu season is upon us, and people can protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs by simply washing their hands more frequently.

Source

University College London press release, December 3, 2008.