The effect of rings on microbial load of health care workers' hands

Abstract

Background: The hands of health care workers (HCWs) serve as a major route for transmission of nosocomial infection. Although handwashing is known to reduce cross-transmission of infection, the influence of rings on the efficacy of handwashing and the carriage of bacteria on the hands has not been well established.

Methods: In this study, 50 HCWs with rings were paired by unit with 50 HCWs without rings. Cultures were obtained by use of a timed-friction rinse before and after a timed handwashing. Standard laboratory procedures were followed for identification of the bacteria.

Result: When colony counts before handwashing are taken into consideration, a significant difference is seen after handwashing between the two groups (R2 = 0.56). The regression model showed that the slope was significantly steeper (p < 0.0014) for the group with rings. This effect is more apparent when the colony count on hands is greater than 1000 colony forming units before handwashing.

Conclusions: A standardized, timed handwashing procedure was effective in decreasing the bioload of HCWs' hands. The effect of rings on the bioload was significant in this study.