Advances in infection control often have been addressed by increasing hand hygiene among
caregivers. One relevant system change has been the installation of antibacterial, alcohol-based
rub dispensers in patient rooms and near sinks. This change should lead to improved infection
control, because alcohol rubs reduce the volume of infection-related microorganisms by 88
percent, compared to hand washing with soap and water, which reduces the volume by only
49 percent.8