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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02396836

Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) of 6 Versus 3 Steps for Hand Hygiene

The aim is to compare the effectiveness of the 6 step hand rub technique versus 3 step hand rub technique in hand coverage and in reducing bacterial contamination on the hands of healthcare workers in practice.

Research questions

1. What is the effectiveness of the 6 step technique in hand coverage compared to the 3 step technique?

1. What are the most frequently missed sites in hand surface coverage using 6 steps compared to 3 steps? 2. What is the reduction in bacterial contamination of the hand with the 6 step compared to the 3 step technique? 2. Does site missed or coverage relate to bacterial load? 3. What is the time taken for 6 step technique versus 3 step technique?

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Key information

Conditions

Hand Hygiene

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Western Infirmary

Glasgow, G11 6NT, United Kingdom

About this study

The 6 step for decontamination of healthcare workers hand is recommended by the World Health Organization but the 3 step technique is easy to perform and has been shown by some studies to be effective. Compliance with the 6 step technique is not optimum. If the 3 step was more as or more effective than the 6 step compliance with it could be compared with that for the 6 step. No randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of these two techniques using alcohol based hand rub has been conducted.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Medical and nursing staff performing a clinical procedure

Exclusion criteria

  • A procedure requiring use of gloves
  • A self declared active skin condition

Treatment and study plan

6 step technique

Other

Hand decontamination with alcohol hand rub using the World Health Organizations 6 step technique

Other names: World Health Organisation 6 step technique for hand hygiene

3 step technique

Other

Hand decontamination with alcohol hand rub using the 3 step technique

Other names: 3 step technique for hand hygiene

Primary outcomes

  1. Microbial load on dominant hand

    Time frame: up to 5 min

    A glove juice technique will be used to assess the microbial load on the dominant hand of healthcare workers following use of alcohol hand rub after a clinical procedure.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Hand coverage

    Time frame: up to 5 min

    Ultra violet box will be used to assess hand coverage of the hands of healthcare workers following use of alcohol hand rub.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Glasgow Caledonian University

Other

Collaborators

  • NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • Tan Tock Seng Hospital
  • University of East Anglia
  • University of Strathclyde

Registry information

Official study title

Randomised Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Two Hand Hygiene Techniques Using Alcohol Based Hand Rub on Hand Surface Coverage and Reducing Bacterial Hand Contamination

Acronym: SHoRT

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
Mar 24, 2015
Registry last updated
Mar 24, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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