Neutropaenic patients and hand hygiene

[Wishart, Michael]

Here is a Friday afternoon question for you all.

We have a haematologist who is insisting on 4% chlorhexidine hand wash
being placed at sinks in all rooms his neutropaenic patients (including
post stem-cell transplant patients) are accommodated in. We are not
talking about only patients with febrile neutropaenia, but all patients
who are neutropaenic. Each of our rooms for care of these patients (all
single rooms with ensuite) have alcohol hand gel available bracketed
within the room, and a dedicated clinical handbasin with plain soap
handwash.

Despite citing the HICPAC 2002 hand hygiene guidelines and reinforcing
that alcohol hand rubs are more effective than antiseptic soaps, the
haematologist has requested that we provide specific information that
demonstrates that antiseptic handwash is not required for contact with
this patient group. We have requested he discuss this with our ID
physicians (who agree there is no evidence to require antiseptic
handwash for this patient group), but he wants us to provide evidence
that we are not endangering his patients.

Has anyone seen any documents that could assist us here? Does any ICP
out there agree with him?

Thanks
Michael

Michael Wishart | GPH – Infection Control Coordinator

GPH – Quality & Safety Unit (Infection Control) | Greenslopes Private
Hospital
Newdegate Street, Greenslopes QLD 4120
t: 07 3394 7919 | f: 07 3394 7985
e: WishartM@ramsayhealth.com.au | w: http://www.ramsayhealth.com.au

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