THE EFFECT OF RINGS ON MICROBIAL LOAD OF HEALTH-CARE WORKERS HANDS

Background: The hands of health care workers (HCWs) serve as a major r oute for transmission of nosocomial infection. Although handwashing is known to reduce cross-transmission of infection, the influence of rin gs on the efficacy of handwashing and the carriage of bacteria on the hands has not been well established. Methods: In this study, 50 HCWs w ith rings were paired by unit with 50 HCWs without rings. Cultures wer e obtained by use of a timed-friction rinse before and after a timed h andwashing. Standard laboratory procedures were followed for identific ation of the bacteria. Result: When colony counts before handwashing a re taken into consideration, a significant difference is seen after ha ndwashing between the two groups (R(2) = 0.56). The regression model s howed that the slope was significantly steeper (p < 0.0014) for the gr oup with rings, This effect is more apparent when the colony count on hands is greater than 1000 colony forming units before handwashing. Co nclusions: A standardized, timed handwashing procedure was effective i n decreasing the bioload of HCWs' hands. The effect of rings on the bi oload was significant in this study.