A question from the HCD08 Conference.

Does the panel believe that the gel hand cleaner is as good as actually washing hands?  I ask because our caregivers from a major academic medical center maintain that the gel is just as good.  I need ammunition to tell them that they are wrong.

There’s plenty of data to use as ammunition. Gel is meant to be used, and is very effective, providing there is no ‘gross soil’ on the hands (blood, body fluids, etc.). Since it can be seen as more convenient, compliance is easier to achieve - versus compliance with thorough hand washing. (Docs are the worst offenders.)

Hand washing is still the best.  Gel is only useful to places where water is not available. But for those with abundance, why use gel?

Both but there are some but’s....  Gel is ok especially if it is really intended to get rid of bacteria and this is also ideal in order to save and conserve water. Water is also ok but without using a germ-fighting soap, it will not clean totally.