Hand-washingIndicationsHand-washing

Hand-washing
Indications
Hand-washing should be an exception in clinical routine ( 2, 3). The point of washing the hands is mainly to remove visible soiling and only occasionally to reduce the microbial colonization of the skin-for example in contamination by spores of C. difficile.
Hand-washing is therefore indicated considerably less often than generally assumed. It makes sense to wash the hands before starting work, after finishing work, and following visits to the bathroom. In all other clinical situations in which hand hygiene measures are required, hand disinfection should be preferred on grounds of efficacy and skin tolerability.