Most Common Mode of Transmission of Pathogens is on the Hands! Cleaning your hands before and after patient contact is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of microorganisms in health-care settings. New guidelines recommend frequent use of alcohol-based hand rubs. New guidelines developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infection-control organizations recommend that healthcare workers use an alcohol-based hand rub to routinely clean their hands between patient contacts, as long as hands are not visibly soiled. Are alcohol-based hand rubs really effective? More than 20 published studies prove alcohol-based hand rubs are more effective than soap in reducing the number of bacteria on hands. Several studies show that nurses who routinely cleaned their hands between patients by using an alcohol-based hand rub had less skin irritation and dryness than nurses who washed their hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand rubs contain skin conditioners (emollients) that help prevent the drying effects of alcohol. 99 Reasons to use an Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer when soap and water are not available:

Commuting 1. Fare-card machine keypads 2. Turnstiles 3. Escalator handrails 4. Handrails of stairs 5. Subway car handles and straps 6. Subway seats and poles 7. Bus seats and handles 8. Revolving door handles 9. Gas pump keypads 10. Gas pump nozzles 11. Car door handles and locks 12. Dashboard surfaces and buttons 13. Toll booth tickets and currency At Work 14. Computer keyboard 15. Computer mouse 16. Photocopy machine keypads 17. Fax machine keypads 18. Calculator keypads 19. Printer buttons and trays 20. Staplers and other office supplies 21. Doorknobs and handles 22. Light switches 23. Elevator buttons 24. Handrails of stairs 25. Office and conference room phones 26. Laptop computer keypads 27. Vending machine keypads 28. Staff room refrigerator handle 29. Staff room microwave handle On Vacation / Traveling 30. People mover handrails 31. Pay phone buttons 32. Pay phone receivers 33. Vending machine keypads 34. Currency at fast food restaurants 35. ATM machine keypads 36. Plastic security buckets at airports 37. Airplane seat rests 38. Airplane blankets and pillows 39. In-flight magazines 40. Hotel room key cards 41. Hotel room remote controls 42. Hotel room A/C controls At the Gym 43. Treadmill keypads 44. Elliptical machine keypads and handles 45. Stepper machine keypads and handles 46. Stationary bike keypads and handles 47. Rowing machine handles 48. TV remote controls Working Out / Weight Room 49. Abdominal equipment handles and headrests 50. Weight machine handles 51. Free weights and barbells 52. Exercise and stretching mats 53. Medicine balls 54. Jump rope handles At Home 55. Computer keyboards and mouse 56. Toys for pets 57. Remote control devices 58. Thermostats 59. Light switches 60. Doorknobs and handles 61. Kitchen countertops 62. Kitchen sponges 63. Refrigerator door handles 64. Oven door handles 65. Microwave door handles 66. Stairway railings Shopping 67. Shopping cart handles 68. Shopping basket handles 69. Bulk-food scoop handles 70. Tongs for baked goods 71. Currency 72. Credit cards 73. ATM machine keypads 74. Stair handrails 75. Escalator handrails 76. Elevator buttons 77. Public rest room surfaces 78. Hand soap dispensers 79. Paper towel dispensers 80. Bathroom door handles At School 81. School bus seats and handles 82. Shared toys 83. Library books 84. Crayons 85. Mats 86. Cafeteria trays 87. Bathroom surfaces 88. Doorknobs and handles 89. Playground equipment 90. Vending machine keypads 91. Sports/gym equipment At Movie Theaters, Sports Events, Clubs 92. Seats 93. Bar surfaces 94. Arm rests 95. Condiment/napkin area surfaces 96. Tickets 97. Video game controls 98. Pinball machine buttons 99. Cigarette lighters