CONCLUSIONS: Hand antisepsis with an alcoholic–
hand-gel regimen was well tolerated and did not result in skin
irritation and dryness of nurses’ hands. In contrast, skin irritation
and dryness increased significantly when nurses washed
their hands with the unmedicated soap product available in the
hospital. Newer alcoholic hand gels that are tolerated better
than soap may be more acceptable to staff and may lead to
improved hand-hygiene practices (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
2000;21:442-448).