Journal List > J Korean Med Assoc > v.61(1) > 1043265

Chun and Kim: Hand hygiene

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are a major concern in relation to patient safety. Of the numerous interventions for infection control, hand hygiene is the main factor that reduces the transmission of nosocomial pathogens. In this review, we cover the history of hand hygiene, evidence supporting its efficacy, and its importance. Then, we briefly introduce the 2017 hand hygiene guidelines of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Five moments for hand hygiene. Reproduced from Sax H, et al. J Hosp Infect 2007;67:9–21, with permission from Elsevier [36].

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Figure 2

How to handwash. Reproduced from World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009 [1].

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Figure 3

How to handrub. Reproduced from World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009 [1].

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Table 1

Antimicrobial activity of antiseptics used in hand hygiene

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Reproduced from World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on hand hygiene in health care [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009 [1].

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ORCID iDs

June Young Chun
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9345-6645

Hong Bin Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6262-372X

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