This policy has been adopted by UNC Health Care for its use in infection control.
It is provided to you as information only.
Status Active PolicyStat ID 11175308
Origination 01/2005 Owner Sherie Goldbach
Last 02/2022 Policy Area Infection
Approved Prevention
Effective 02/2022 Applicability UNC Medical
Last Revised 02/2022 Center
Next Review 02/2025
Hand Hygiene and Use of Antiseptics for Skin Preparation
COPY
I. Description
Describes the indications and methods for hand hygiene and skin antisepsis
II. Rationale
Hand hygiene and skin antisepsis are critical components of infection prevention. Hospital personnel
can be the mode of transmission for preventable healthcare-associated infections and, in many
outbreaks, hands of personnel have been identified as the probable means of cross-transmission of
infection. Hand hygiene has been shown to eliminate or markedly reduce hand carriage of pathogenic
organisms, most of which are transient flora. Thus, it is an important means of preventing additional
patient exposure to pathogens that have already colonized or infected other patients.
III. Policy
A. Definition of Terms
Term Definition
Alcohol-based hand A solution containing 60-95 percent alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) and is
rub (ABHR) designed to be applied to the hands to reduce the number of viable
microorganisms.
Antimicrobial soap Soap containing an antiseptic agent.
Antiseptic agent Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to the skin to
reduce the number of microbial flora. Examples include alcohols,
chlorhexidine, chlorine, hexachlorophene, iodine, para-chloro-meta-xylenol,
and quaternary ammonium compounds.
Hand Hygiene and Use of Antiseptics for Skin Preparation. Retrieved 05/2022. Official copy at http://unchealthcare- Page 1 of 11
uncmc.policystat.com/policy/11175308/. Copyright © 2022 UNC Medical Center
