Alcohol Hand Cleaners Cut Risk of Hospital Infection

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report last week stating that alcohol-based hand cleaners for hospital staff, could save thousands of dollars in healthcare costs, by reducing patient [tag-tec]infection[/tag-tec] and need to treat those infections.

As you may know, people with poor immune systems often become worse in the hospital due to transmission of germs and [tag-ice]infections[/tag-ice] within the hospital environment.

Estimates suggest that 1.4 million people (worldwide) are sick at any moment due to infections they catch in hospitals.

Up to 10 percent of those who catch an infection will die as a result, according to WHO officials.

Many of these illnesses could be prevented by using alcohol based cleaners in health care settings.

Easier to use than soap and water, and in fact, probably more hygienic than the water in some developing nations, it seems that this one simple change to current practice would be good for patients and doctors alike.