ARE we using the correct alcohol- based handrub? Does it pose a health risk instead of offering protection?
Hand hygiene is a simple action that contributes significantly to the establishment and maintenance of safe health services and prevention of infection in the community and at healthcare facilities. Alcohol-based handrubs (ABHRs) are listed in the 19th World Health Organi-sation (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines (April 2015) as a disinfectant. Given the global Covid-19 situation, ABHRs are currently heavily used in the community and in healthcare settings to maintain hand hygiene. However, the recent lack of available ABHRs in the market has lead to fraudulent production and sales of questionable, poor quality and even dangerous versions.