Efficiency of Hand Drying for Removing Bacteria From Washed Hands Comparison of Paper Towel Drying With Warm Air Drying

Abstract

Holding hands stationary and not rubbing them was desirable for removing bacteria. Ultraviolet light reinforced the removal of bacteria during warm air drying. Paper towels were useful for removing bacteria from fingertips but not palms and fingers.

The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence

“…39 In many instances, however, rubbing hands with hot air dryers to hasten drying would only lead to greater bacterial numbers and airborne dissemination. 49 It might be that rubbing hands causes bacteria to migrate from the hair follicles to the skin surface. 35,44 Many studies have found friction to be a key component in hand drying for removing contamination.…”

“…Yamamoto et al 49 used a contact plate method to evaluate the effect of hot air dryers when hands were rubbed and when hands were held stationary. When hands were rubbed, bacteria on the hands increased significantly after 15 seconds of use.…”

Händehygiene in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens

“…Hautpflegemittel Konventionelle Heißlufttrockner sind für Gesundheitseinrichtungen ungeeignet, weil die Trocknungswirkung im Vergleich zum Handtuch geringer ist [221][222][223]. Nur "jet air" Händetrockner mit Infrarot erwiesen sich bei 10 s Anwendung dem Papierhandtuch in der Trocknungswirkung gleichwertig [224].…”

Hand Hygiene

“…257 In a comparison of methods to test the efficiency of hand drying for the removal of bacteria from washed hands, warm air drying performed worse than drying with paper towels. 258 This is in contrast to another study, which found warm air dryers to be the most efficient when compared with paper and cloth towels. 257 However, air dryers may be less practical because of the longer time needed to achieve dry hands, 258 with a possible negative impact on hand hygiene compliance.…”