Evaluation of 15-second alcohol-based hand rub efficacy: a multi-laboratory study using a modified EN 1500 protocol
These findings support the methodological feasibility of a shortened protocol and are consistent with evolving clinical guidelines advocating reduced rub-in times, as well as with real-world practice, where healthcare workers typically spend less than 30 s on hand antisepsis. Nonetheless, any revision of EN 1500 should proceed cautiously to ensure antimicrobial efficacy, emphasizing complete hand coverage and strict adherence to technique.
Authors
- Lutz Vossebein
- Lars Paßvogel
- Astrid Bolten
- Miranda Suchomel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8758-9652)
- Benjamin Eilts
- Katharina Konrat
- Michele Cavalleri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5308-1201)
- Cheng Shoou Lee
- Torsten Koburger‐Janssen
- Henrik Gabriel
- Katrin Steinhauer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4218-6152)
- Felix Droop
- B. Christiansen
- H Martiny
- Kira-Marie Roesch
- Nico T. Mutters
- Steffen Pahl
- Christine Schartner
- Lelia J. Vecchio
- Martin Exner
- Andreas Wille
- Maren Meckel
- Johannes Lenz
- Franz Seyringer
- Jürgen Gebel
- Axel Kramer
- Claudia Hildebrandt
Institutions
- University of Bonn (DE)
- University of Salzburg (AT)
- Robert Koch Institute (DE)
- University Hospital Bonn (DE)
- Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Kiel (DE)
- Sanofi (Austria) (AT)
- Fondation Mérieux (FR)
- Hochschule Niederrhein (DE)
- Institut für Hygiene und Umwelt (DE)
- Dr. Brill + Dr. Steinmann (Germany) (DE)
- Albstadt-Sigmaringen University (DE)
- Unfallkrankenhaus Salzburg (AT)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene (DE)
- Institut für Krankenhaushygiene & Infektionsprävention (DE)
- Global Green Synergy (Malaysia) (MY)
- Ecolab (Germany) (DE)
- Eurofins (France) (FR)
- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (Malaysia) (MY)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Hospital Infection
- Published
- 2026-02-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2026.01.027
- Primary Topic
- Infection Control in Healthcare
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00