So this is the same as saying that all doctors and nurses doing the wrong thing. Should tell them that they're wrong next time if they ask to apply hand sanitiser.
No, it's not for convenient. Washing hands is a must. Hands must still be washed before applying hand sanitiser. That's what I was told at hospital. And washing hands with just water is not suffient.
Hospital sanitizers and over the counter sanitizers have slight differences. If really want to buy hand sanitizers, I suggest buy the hospital sanitizers (alcohol based, "non-bacterial" component) than over the counter. For myself, I try not to use too much of "anti-bacterial" component kind of wipes, sanitizers as it is known to make changes to your immune system.
If you notice, the hospital sanitizers are more liquid-based, whereas the over the counter types are more gel-like.
In fact, I just bought a bottle of hand sanitizer from KKH, in case I need it when there are no soap and water available.
Hospital environment[edit]
Hand alcohol in a hospital
Alcohol-based hand rubs are extensively used in the hospital environment as an alternative to antiseptic soaps. Hand-rubs in the hospital environment have two applications: hygienic hand rubbing and surgical hand disinfection. Alcohol based hand rubs provide a better skin tolerance as compared to antiseptic soap.
[11] Hand rubs also prove to have more effective microbiological properties as compared to antiseptic soaps.
The same ingredients used in over-the-counter hand-rubs are also used in hospital hand-rubs: alcohols such
ethanol and
isopropanol, sometimes combined with
quats (quaternary ammonium cations) such as
benzalkonium chloride. Quats are added at levels up to 200 parts per million to increase antimicrobial effectiveness. Although allergy to alcohol-only rubs is rare, fragrances, preservatives and quats can cause contact allergies.
[60] These other ingredients do not evaporate like alcohol and accumulate leaving a "sticky" residue until they are removed with soap and water.
The most common brands of alcohol hand rubs include Aniosgel, Avant, Sterillium, Desderman and Allsept S. All hospital hand rubs must conform to certain regulations like EN 12054 for hygienic treatment and surgical disinfection by hand-rubbing. Products with a claim of "99.99% reduction" or 4Log reduction are ineffective in hospital environment, since the reduction must be more than "99.99%".
[3]
The hand sanitizer dosing systems for hospitals are designed to deliver a measured amount of the product for staff. They are dosing pumps screwed onto a bottle or are specially designed dispensers with refill bottles. Dispensers for surgical hand disinfection are usually equipped with elbow controlled mechanism or infrared sensors to avoid any contact with the pump.
