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letter
. 2012 Feb 24;109(8):148–149. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2012.0149a

Correspondence (letter to the editor): Hand Hygiene—Other Remedies Are Also Effective

Markus Dettenkofer *
PMCID: PMC3301981  PMID: 22419958

Under the subheading “Hygienic measures in clinical practice”, the authors rightly point out the crucial importance of proper hand hygiene. It is not correct, however, that exclusively “virucidal” disinfectants can be used. Rapid, 30-second effectiveness against adenoviruses is sufficient, as is possible by using one of several commercially available hand disinfectants (color free and scent free). Complete elimination of all viruses in keeping with the regulations of the Robert Koch-Institute is not required and does not make sense since the preparations used for that purpose are often far less well tolerated.

Footnotes

Conflict of interest statement

Professor Dettenkofer has received funding for a research project he initiated from B Braun, Sempach, Ecolab, and Schulze and Mayr.

References

  • 1.Meyer-Rüsenberg B, Loderstädt U, Richard G, Kaulfers PM, Gesser C. Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis—the current situation and recommendations for prevention and treatment. Dtsch Aztebl Int. 2011;108(27):475–480. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2011.0475. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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