ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

New guidance on hand hygiene published by the French Society for Hospital Hygiene (SF2H), strongly discourages the use of electric hand dryers as a method of hand drying in hospital washrooms, and recommends instead the use of single use paper towels as the most effective way to dry hands and minimise the spread of microorganisms following a visit to the washroom.

The new guidance, 'Hand hygiene and care - choice of products and how to use and promote them' recognises that good hand hygiene among healthcare professionals is essential in preventing infection and cross-transmission of micro-organisms in a healthcare setting. The report was reviewed by 25 experts in infection control and microbiology, and will be widely circulated and read by those working to promote optimal hygiene and minimise the spread of microorganisms.

Professor Frédéric Barbut of the Infection Control Unit at Hospital Saint-Antoine (AP-HP)in Paris commented: "This new SF2H guidance reflects the latest research on hand hygiene and is intended to complement the recommendations published in 2009. Responding to a question frequently posed by hygienists, and in light of recently published studies, the authors of the Guidance advise against the use of hot air hand dryers in healthcare settings because of bacterial and viral contamination of air and surfaces."

SF2H, the French Society for Hospital Hygiene, is a member of the European network to promote infection prevention for patient safety and of the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC).