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Why language matters: a tour through hand hygiene literature
Daniela Pires1,2, Ermira Tartari1,3, Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues1,4
1Infection Control Programme and WHO Collaborating Centre on Patient Safety - Infection Control & Improving Practices, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 4 Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
|June 21, 2017
Summary
The frequency of hand hygiene literature has significantly increased, with a shift from "hand washing" and "hand disinfection" to "hand hygiene" and "alcohol-based hand rub" (ABHR) reflecting updated guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Bibliometrics
- Medical Literature Analysis
- Infection Control Terminology
Background:
- Hand hygiene terminology has evolved significantly over recent decades.
- Analysis of the frequency of key hand hygiene terms in scientific literature is crucial for understanding trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution in the utilization frequency of key hand hygiene terms in scientific literature over time.
- To track changes in terminology related to hand hygiene practices.
Main Methods:
- Keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) related to hand hygiene were identified from guidelines and the MeSH database.
- A MEDLINE® search was conducted using selected keywords and MeSH terms, analyzing publication counts annually.
Main Results:
- A total of 9019 publications were retrieved between 1921 and 2016, with a substantial increase in annual publications.
- Key terms evolved from "hand disinfection" and "hand washing" to "hand hygiene," "hand sanitizer," and "alcohol-based hand rub" (ABHR).
- Since 2013, "hand hygiene" has become the most frequently used MeSH and keyword.
Conclusions:
- The shift in terminology from "hand washing" and "hand disinfection" to "hand hygiene" reflects a paradigm shift.
- This change is likely influenced by international guidelines promoting alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) over soap and water since the early 2000s.
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