Hand hygiene

CDC recommends at least 60 percent alcohol for hand sanitizer in health care, and the Life Safety Code that CMS enforces caps dispenser contents at 95 percent by volume. Most health care products sit at 62 to 80 percent ethyl alcohol or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. The active ingredient and percentage are stated as on the Drug Facts label.

Gel and foam deliver the same active at the same percentage in a different feel. Foam dispenses with less drip. Gel is more common in pump bottles. Choose by staff preference and dispenser.

A sealed refill fits the dispenser family it was made for. Tell us the model on your wall and we match the refill, and the quote confirms the system. Open formats, pump and squeeze bottles and gallons, fit any bracket or counter.

CDC's summary of the Life Safety Code: dispensers at least 48 inches apart, corridors at least 6 feet wide, no more than 10 gallons in use per smoke compartment, and touch-free dispensers that activate only within 4 inches of the sensor. Buyers size orders to these limits.

CDC guidance calls for soap and water when hands are visibly soiled, after caring for a patient with known or suspected infectious diarrhea, and after known or suspected exposure to spores. Every hand hygiene station needs both.

CDC tells staff to use facility-approved lotions, because some lotions interfere with sanitizers, chlorhexidine and gloves. Lotions in this group state their glove and chlorhexidine compatibility where the maker tests it.

Alcohol-based sanitizer is a flammable liquid in transport. It ships by ground, may carry carrier hazardous-materials charges and may ship separately from the rest of an order. Every quote states the freight basis, and storage limits per smoke compartment apply inside the building.