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Updated: Mar 1, 2026

A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Hand Rub Consumption Has Almost Doubled in 132 German Hospitals Over 9 Years
Wibke Wetzker1, Janine Walter1, Karin Bunte-Schönberger1
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin,Institut für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin,Berlin,Germany.
Abstract:
Annual surveillance data (2007-2015), collected continuously in 132 German hospitals, was evaluated for development of alcohol-based hand-rub consumption (AHC) as a surrogate parameter for hand hygiene adherence. Overall, the median increase in AHC was 94%. The increases over 9 years were significant in all units and quartiles of AHC at baseline. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:870-872.
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