Study says hand gel not enough to curb hospital infections

AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel, January 29, 2008

A new study has shown that doctors and nurses that often skip soap and water in favor of an alcohol-based hand gel, had no bearing on the rate of infections among patients. The doctor who studied the problem pointed to many villains: Rings and fingernails that are too long and hard to clean, poor handling of catheters and treatment areas that aren't sanitized. The study appears in the January issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.